Australia news LIVE: Man charged over death threats, antisemitic abuse sent to politicians; PM announces major funding for remote NT communities

More on the federal government’s commitment of $842.6 million over six years to the Northern Territory Remote Aboriginal Investment, which will fund services such as policing, women’s safety, education and alcohol harm reduction.

At an Alice Springs press conference to announce the move, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the agreement as the “largest investment in remote communities we have ever seen”.

“If things are not working, we will change them, intervene to make sure the dollars go to where they are anticipated, which is improving the lives of Territorians,” he said.

The agreement – signed by the federal and NT governments, and the Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory – seeks to transition services from government to community control over time.

Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory convener John Paterson said the investment was “one of the best, genuine, meaningful” outcomes he had seen in his working career.

He attributed this to the involvement and participation of Aboriginal leaders in the territory who “know their business” and communities.

“What this agreement demonstrates is that when the partners, along with the Aboriginal leadership get around the table to negotiate … we can achieve the outcome that we’re all aspiring [to] and wanting,” Paterson said.

NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro also welcomed the renewal of the agreement, saying a “big portion” would go to policing.

“We know that community safety is the number one priority of Territorians no matter where they live,” she said.

“But this funding will go further than remote policing, which is critical. It will also support better health outcomes for Aboriginal people living in the bush, greater empowerment and decision-making and of course making sure that our remote communities are invested in.”

AAP