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National Congress supports Aboriginal Queensland mayors lobbying for the National Partnership on Remote Housing
EIGHTEEN mayors from Aboriginal communities in Queensland are braving Canberra’s cold weather to lobby for the continuation of the National Partnership on Remote Housing (NPRH).
The NPRH was negotiated in 2016 to replace the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing. It aims to address the housing crisis facing remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory.
The NPRH is due to conclude on June 30, 2018. While replacement funds have been allocated to the Northern Territory, the Federal Government is yet to come to an agreement with Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland.
Community groups warn that the discontinuation of funding in these three states will lead to a loss of jobs and exacerbate overcrowding.
The mayors are meeting with Nigel Scullion, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, to discuss the standstill.
National Congress is calling for housing to be a Closing the Gap target. About 39 percent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households in very remote areas are overcrowded, while 20 percent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households in remote areas are overcrowded.
A lack of adequate housing is one of the social determinants leading a number of negative social and health outcomes including poverty, criminality, incarceration, educational attainment, disease and substance abuse.
“Investment equals prevention,” National Congress co-chair, Jackie Huggins, said. “By investing in adequate housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the government will save money in the long-run through decreased expenditure on welfare, incarceration and social programs.”
Rod Little, National Congress co-chair said, “Housing is key. Without adequate housing, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples cannot break the cycle of poverty.
"National Congress looks forward to hosting the World Indigenous Housing Conference in 2019 and to working with governments to improve the current housing crisis facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities."
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