A historic multi-billion-dollar housing investment is set to address First Nations people that are living in overcrowded, inadequate and unsafe homes in the Northern Territory.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the $4 billion, jointly funded by the federal and territory governments, during a visit to the community of Binjari, near Katherine on Tuesday.
The federal government is contributing $2.1 billion, about $844 million of which is new money, with the rest repurposed from other projects.
The decade-long commitment will aim to build up to 270 homes each year and seek to halve overcrowding in the NT.
“If you don’t have a secure roof over your head, the chances of you having a healthy life, getting on with your education, of you being able to prosper and seize opportunities … simply won’t arise,” Mr Albanese said at the announcement in Binjari on Tuesday.
“This is an ambitious program, but it’s the right program.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said it’s an ambitious but needed investment. Credit: AAP Image/Lukas Coch. Source: AAP / LUKAS COCH/AAPIMAGE
Increasing the proportion of Indigenous people living in homes that are not overcrowded to almost 90 per cent by 2031 is a target in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
The government will also invest an extra $120 million across three years to match the NT government’s annual delivery of improvements to housing and essential infrastructure upgrades in remote homelands.
Maintenance of remote housing investments has been top of mind in the sector after the high court ruled in November that First Nations people living in dilapidated remote housing were entitled to compensation.
The problems included leaking sewage, unstable electricity and a lack of air conditioning.
The new project will be delivered through a partnership between the Commonwealth and Territory, Aboriginal Land Councils and Aboriginal Housing NT.
The territory’s peak Indigenous housing body will be given a further $1 million to support its role.
Commonwealth-funded delivery of housing in remote NT communities increased by more than 200 per cent between 2021-22 and 2022-23.
The government identified housing as a key policy priority for the Indigenous voice to parliament, which was defeated at a referendum in October.
Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney said increasing housing supply would ease overcrowding, which was a major barrier to closing the gap.
“This is a historic investment that will make a difference to the lives of so many Aboriginal people living in remote communities,” she said.
NT Chief Minister Eva Lawler said the commitment would deliver new homes for more than 10,000 people.
“The years to come will provide homes for remote area residents that are safer and more secure, as well as employment and training opportunities for those who live in our communities and homelands,” she said.
Aboriginal Housing NT chief executive Skye Thompson said the announcement was the single most comprehensive investment package into the NT’s remote housing and homelands sector.
“Its impact cannot be overstated,” she said.
“This investment will help ensure Aboriginal Australians across the Northern Territory are able to live with dignity and pride, where their kids can grow safe, healthy and strong and truly look to their futures with real hope and optimism.”
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