National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing

Ms HILDYARD (Reynell) (15:03): My question is to the Minister for Social Housing. Can the minister advise the house on the progress of discussions regarding the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (15:03): I thank the member for the question. I recently discussed the impact of the 2017-18 federal budget and what it would have on critical housing and homelessness services with the introduction of the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement.

While funding allocated to the National Affordable Housing Agreement and the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness has been rolled into a new agreement, there is a lack of certainty around the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing (NPARIH). Through this agreement, several vital programs are funded. Under the capital works program, Housing SA has completed 206 new homes and 252 property upgrades in remote communities as at 31 May this year. Works on a further 17 new homes and 26 property upgrades have commenced. The Aboriginal Community Housing Organisations Transition Strategy targets communities and homelands that have not yet been subject to reform, with investment between $40,000 and $50,000 per property to address maintenance and condition.

Participating Aboriginal community housing organisations will be offered support and capacity building through a 12-month mentoring opportunity. The education and employment housing program supports residents of remote communities by providing affordable housing in locations that offer employment and education opportunities; 41 properties have been acquired, and since 2013, 93 adults have relocated to a regional or metropolitan area to undertake training, employment or further education. Already more than 200 jobs have been created under the remote housing agreement, with opportunities for local residents to complete apprenticeships and traineeships in communities where construction, maintenance and services are delivered.

South Australia has been making history by entering into treaty discussions with Aboriginal nations and actively committing to reconciliation activities. Any failure to provide affordable housing for Aboriginal communities will jeopardise this significant work undertaken over many years to right past wrongs. There is currently a prime opportunity to build on community strength through our state's remote housing pathways. Certainty of funding is needed urgently in order to maintain Aboriginal economic and employment outcomes and to ensure seamless delivery of critical services to remote communities beyond June 2018. I can assure the house that I am working with my colleagues across the country to negotiate for sustained commonwealth investment in remote housing in South Australia.