A new homelands policy will be developed by the Territory Labor Government in collaboration with land councils, the Australian Government and homelands residents as part of its response to an independent review.

Released today, the Territory Labor Government’s response to the Homelands Policy Review sets a new direction for the delivery of services, such as housing, to homelands including those in the Territory’s most remote areas.

Eleven of the 13 recommendations have been accepted and in-principle support has been agreed for the remaining two.

The Northern Territory Government’s response to the review includes:

•  Revising the Homelands Grants Program by removing red tape and streamlining program funding; and
• Committing to establish a new body with the land councils and the Australian Government to co-design a long-term vision for homelands including a sophisticated and holistic Homelands Policy framework to better ensure a sustainable homelands sector.

There are more than 500 homelands across the Territory with approximately 10,000 residents living in 2,400 dwellings.

For more information, go to https://dlghcd.nt.gov.au/homelands-and-outstations/homelands.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Remote Housing and Town Camps Chansey Paech:

“Homelands are important places - inextricably connected to the social, cultural and emotional wellbeing of those who live on-country - and our Government acknowledges we must do more to support our homelands residents.

“In a deal brokered by the previous CLP Government in 2015, the NT Government accepted full responsibility for the delivery of municipal and essential services and housing maintenance on homelands in exchange for a one-off payment of $155 million.

 “However, homelands are in critical need of infrastructure such as housing so we’ll be talking to the Australian Government about coming back to the table on this matter, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that people are interested in returning to country.

“Our Government is focused on creating healthy, sustainable, equitable futures for our most vulnerable Territorians and that’s why we have prioritised the development of a new homelands policy which is fit-for-purpose and has input from key stakeholders.”

Quotes attributable to Central Land Council CEO Joe Martin-Jard:

“The Central Land Council is looking forward to working collaboratively with homelands residents, the NT and Australian Governments along with other land councils to drive improved outcomes to homelands throughout the Territory.

“A new model for homelands, driven by innovative policy including shared decision-making principles, will be able to deliver more effective and sustainable services that will go a long way towards empowering homelands residents.”

Media contact: Jasmin Afianos – 0419 361 127