APY LANDS, HOUSING

In reply to the Hon. T.A. FRANKS (16 May 2012).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers): The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation has been advised:

1. No provision exists under the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing, for the provision of furniture or whitegoods in new or refurbished houses, apart from the provision of stoves to tenants. This is consistent with public housing arrangements across Australia.

The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) developed a furniture program through its Emergency Relief Program in 2011.

Under this program FaHCSIA provided funding of $25,000 (excluding GST) to the Playford Community Fund and ParaWork Links to produce flat pack furniture for the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands.

This furniture was shipped in two containers to the APY Lands, one in September and the other in October in 2011. The containers were stored at Umuwa awaiting assembly and distribution.

Families SA and the Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Division (AARD) developed criteria to distribute the furniture, targeting those who were considered vulnerable and in most need. AARD gained APY endorsement of the criteria.

FaHCSIA engaged Bungala Aboriginal Corporation (Bungala) to both assemble and deliver the furniture to 40 identified families across the APY Lands.

The furniture packages consisted of flat packed beds (single and double), mattresses and pillows, wardrobes, tables, chairs and bedside tables.

I am advised that furniture was distributed to identified families in early October 2011 and throughout the month of November 2011 by Families SA and Bungala. Some of the identified families were not present in community when Bungala arrived to deliver the furniture and this necessitated the storing of furniture until the families returned to the community.

In Watarru most families were not in community at the time of delivery. This furniture has since been distributed.

A household of furniture was also stored at Fregon for a family who were attending a funeral in another community. When this family returned to the Fregon Community they were allocated new housing and requested Bungala store the new furniture until they moved into the new house. This is yet to occur.

2. Families SA has advised that they are not aware of any of the Playford Community Fund furniture being lost in transit.

3. The Department of Education and Child Development, through Families SA, do administer a NILS program and advise that:

No Interest Loans (NILS) Program is available to APY Lands community members who have undertaken a financial assessment process conducted by Families SA. These clients have the opportunity to purchase kitchen goods by taking out NILS and repaying them over an agreed time through Centre Pay deductions.

During the period of September to December 2011 no NILS were approved for residents of the APY Lands.

4. I am advised that furniture was distributed to identified families in early October 2011 and throughout the month of November 2011 by Families SA and Bungala. Some of the identified families were not present in community when Bungala arrived to deliver the furniture and this necessitated the storing of furniture until the families returned to the community.

In Watarru most families were not in community at the time of delivery. This furniture has since been distributed. A household of furniture was also stored at Fregon for a family who were attending a funeral in another community. When this family returned to the Fregon Community they were allocated new housing and requested Bungala store the new furniture until they moved into the new house. This is yet to occur.