A delegation of about 20 local government leaders from Queensland’s indigenous communities raised some key policy issues this week during meetings with two Turnbull Government ministers and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.
The meetings at Parliament House in Canberra coincided with the Australian Local Government Association’s National General Assembly, which attracted its largest ever contingent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegates this year.
The delegation discussed with Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion how housing in indigenous communities could be better delivered following on from the successful National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing or NPARIH.
Local councils are pushing the Government to roll out another five to 10 year housing program that builds on the systems operating in Queensland that deliver not only additional houses but also addresses many of the social disadvantages of these communities.
NPARIH has delivered 1,215 new houses and refurbished 1,490 existing dwellings across Queensland. However, overcrowding remains an issue _ up to 30 people in a house is not unusual.
Up to 2000 new houses are needed in order to Close the Gap on overcrowding in line with COAG targets.
The system of local builders using local people to build houses also contribute significantly to the social framework of these communities in providing employment and economic opportunity for local people and hopes for a working future for young people.
The delegation also spent time with Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt, asking him to help ensure remote indigenous communities received a better deal from the Queensland Government in terms of health provision.
Mr Shorten and Labor Senator Pat Dodson encouraged the delegation to maintain a policy dialogue with the federal Opposition.