Scullion fobs off damning indigenous audit

Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion has played down a scathing audit into the federal government's strategy to improve the disadvantage of Aboriginal people.

The Australian National Audit Office's scathing report on the indigenous advancement strategy uncovered sloppy record keeping, poor consultation and design.

But Senator Scullion brushed it off.

"This is bureaucratic report, a very important report for bureaucrats about what box was ticked and what box was not ticked," Senator Scullion told parliament, adding that he was more concerned about what was happening on the ground in communities.

Labor senator Pat Dodson said the minister's response was defensive and disappointing.

"We can not ignore or excuse these failings, which have hit our communities very hard," he said.