3 December 2004
Indigenous Housing: Some Progress But We Still Need a Commitment to Incresed Resources
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John Ah Kit MLA
Minister for Housing
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The Housing Ministers’ Conference in Adelaide today had made some small progress Northern Territory Housing Minister Mr John Ah Kit said.
“At long last there is a commitment to expand the range of options for additional funding, and a serious move towards rationalising programs.
“The reality is that the Australian Government is the biggest player, and raises the most revenue,” said Mr Ah Kit.
“It is the Australian Government that is responsible for massive program duplication, and this must be addressed
“I agree that all jurisdictions need to lift their game—and we are well on that road through the Indigenous Housing Authority of the Northern Territory .
“We are already expanding the capacity of regional communities to build employment and enterprises through housing construction programs, as well as enhanced community housing maintenance and management systems.
“But the bottom line is that we have identified a need at a national level to increase the absolute level of resources—anything less than a response on a major scale runs the risk of us all going backwards,” said Mr Ah Kit.
Research carried out by the Northern Territory on behalf of the Housing Ministers’ Council has identified a national need of $2 billion—with the identified need in Northern Territory of at least $850 million.
“This is not a grab for money—it is a plea for decent living conditions for Indigenous Australians.
“The longer we delay addressing these issues, the greater the costs will be to the nation.”