'Respect and courtesy aren’t enough. We also need to engage in ongoing practical reconciliation and the drive to eradicate Indigenous disadvantage. To me, the energy transformation is one of our best, if not the best, opportunity to do just that.'

The Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen MP addressed the opening of Australian Energy Week on the lands of the peoples of the Kulin Nation.

In his address, Minister Bowen continued: 'To ensure that First Nations people benefit from and have some ownership of the wealth we will create as we re-engineer our energy system, we’ve delivered our First Nations Clean Energy Strategy which provides a better framework to allow that First Nations equity and engagement.

'The Strategy is important, but I don't pretend that it has as yet even started to work.

'Funding for much of the strategy begins on 1 July, in a few weeks' time. But funding is just the start.

'We will need to work together, across our sector to make the Strategy a reality.'

Minister Bowen’s address leans in ambition towards the Government of Canada's 'Powering Canada’s Future: A Clean Electricity Strategy', providing 'support for growing Indigenous participation and leadership in electricity projects, which can advance economic reconciliation and ensure no one is left behind.'

We look forward to seeing action on implementing the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy in Australia.