Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled a $4 billion remote housing package for the Northern Territory, aimed at building hundreds of homes in Indigenous communities over the coming decade. Source: ABC News.
The 10-year agreement was struck between the federal and NT Governments, all four of the NT’s Aboriginal land councils and the peak body representing remote housing in the NT, Aboriginal Housing NT.
The Albanese Government estimated the funding would lead to the construction of 270 new homes each year in the Northern Territory, or 2700 homes over the life of the agreement.
Mr Albanese said housing was critical for progressing other Closing the Gap targets around education and health.
“If you don’t have a secure roof over your head, the chances of you having a healthy life, of you getting on with your education, of you being able to prosper and seize opportunities, simply won’t arise,” he said.
“This is a precondition for a successful community.”
Residents in the NT’s remote communities often contend with severe overcrowding and concerns around the health impacts of stifling heat and humidity.
NT Chief Minister Eva Lawler said the agreement would provide homes for more than 10,000 residents in remote communities.
St Vincent De Paul Society NT president Jocelyn Cull said she welcomed the announcement of the 10-year funding deal. But she said there needed to be more clarity around what discussions had been had with local stakeholders and how the funding was expected to be rolled out.
“We’ve had chronic overcrowding in remote communities for a number of years now,” Ms Cull said.
“I think it’s a really good step, but what we’d be interested in seeing is how that’s going to be implemented.”
FULL STORY
Federal, NT governments announces 10-year, $4 billion remote housing agreement (By Thomas Morgan, ABC News)
