Leaders from Queensland’s Indigenous councils gathered in Cairns yesterday to call on the Commonwealth Government to continue to fund housing in their remote communities, with current funding slated to cease on June 30, 2018.
Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick De Brenni said that uncertainty around funding had the potential to unravel positive outcomes achieved in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
‘The Turnbull Government appears just a step from walking away from national funding agreements, putting a decade of progress at risk of a massive slide backwards,’ Mr de Brenni said.
‘Communities, local governments and the states demand certainty, and we need it quickly, before development, jobs and hope dry up.’
Torres Strait Mayor Fred Gela shared the sentiment and said that gains achieved by the State Government should not be jeopardised.
‘The cloud over ongoing federal funding is a real worry,’ Mr Gela said.
‘There is no cost savings in increasing overcrowding. Without NPRH investment continuing you can expect continuing and increasing challenges with health, educational attainment, employment outcomes, social and emotional well-being and family safety. You can’t build up remote economies without a strong pipeline of construction work.’
Minister for Local Government and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Mark Furner also attended the meeting and said that maintaining the funding was an important factor in improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
'Safe, secure housing and partnerships are crucial to Closing the Gap on health, education and employment outcomes, and that’s why a meaningful commitment to funding from the Turnbull Government for more housing in Queensland’s Indigenous communities is so important.'
Read the full government release here.