Two decades after the Bringing Them Home report was released, victims and families believe Australia has not made enough progress to help the Stolen Generations and affected communities.
Senator McCarthy says she has not seen things in Central Australia so bad in her political career. She believes that is as result of the "work for the dole" welfare program.
"People are hungry, people have given up on the system, people have walked away from the many hoops that they have to jump through, in particular at Centrelink, she said.
People waiting from two hours to five hours in remote out stations and communities, where there are no mobile phone coverages, they realise that they really are at the bottom of the pile.
Governments, and all political leaders, have to shake this and say no - First Nations people must be a clear priority."
