Aboriginal Lands Parliamentary Standing Committee: Inquiry into Aboriginal Housing

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (17:41): I move:

That the report of the committee, entitled Inquiry into Aboriginal Housing Final Report, be noted.

The committee resolved to inquire into Aboriginal housing on 2 March 2020. The committee received eight written submissions in the inquiry and received oral evidence from 18 witnesses. The committee heard a number of consistent themes throughout the evidence it received. These included:

difficulties in Aboriginal people accessing culturally appropriate housing in remote communities, regional areas and in Adelaide;

a need for engagement with community leaders in relation to meeting their requirements, rather than imposing centralised perspectives;

waiting lists for Housing SA homes, with it becoming exceedingly difficult for Aboriginal people to access the private rental market;

a need to support Aboriginal people wanting to return to homelands;

issues associated with migration and transience, which can lead to overcrowding; and

the provision of culturally appropriate support services with transitional accommodation for those visiting Adelaide, in partnership with Aboriginal communities.

Prior to this inquiry's completion, the Premier launched the South Australian Aboriginal Housing Strategy 2021-2031. The committee sought a briefing on the overall strategy, its development and implementation from the head of Aboriginal housing in the South Australian Housing Authority. The committee heard that the strategy aims to modernise the Aboriginal housing system and encompasses many of the issues identified in the committee's inquiry.

It aims to open up opportunities for home ownership and economic participation, access to culturally responsive services and reinforcement of the capability of Aboriginal corporations by supporting self-determination. The committee recommended that it review the progress of the South Australian housing strategy in 12 months' time.

I also note the recent announcement of a Parklands hub to operate for Aboriginal visitors arising from recommendations by the Safety and Wellbeing Taskforce. The aim of the Parklands hub is to assist vulnerable Aboriginal visitors who are sleeping rough to return safely to country or find alternative secure accommodation. The committee may be interested in reviewing the success of this initiative in the new parliament.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank the individuals and organisations who made submissions to the committee in the Aboriginal housing inquiry, both verbally and in writing. I would also like to thank the current members of the Aboriginal Lands Parliamentary Standing Committee and the staff of the committee for their assistance. I commend the report to the council.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. J.E. Hanson.