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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-09-08 Daily Xml
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APY LANDS, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT

Ms BREUER (Giles) (16:07): My question is to the Minister for Housing. Can the minister inform the house of new developments regarding the provision of housing and employment for people in the APY lands?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Northern Suburbs, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability) (16:07): I thank the member for Giles for her question, and I know how important this issue is to her. Last week I was in the APY lands to sign a memorandum of understanding between the state government and the APY executive which became effective immediately.

It is a commitment to work closely with the APY to increase the standard of housing for Aboriginal people on the APY lands. Safe quality housing for Aboriginal people is fundamental to building sustainable healthy and productive communities. South Australia is receiving $291 million as a result of the remote indigenous housing national partnership to provide new housing and upgrade hundreds of homes across South Australia. This memorandum of understanding gives us a framework to work with the APY executive so that we can deliver real outcomes and reach our targets under the national partnership.

The MOU shares some common objectives with the national partnership agreement and these include: the increased supply of affordable, sustainable and suitable housing; to reduce overcrowding and improve dwelling conditions; to develop responsible housing management services; and to create meaningful opportunities for Anangu employment and training derived through new housing investment.

Thirty-three new houses are to be built in Amata and Mimili this year and next year, and I am pleased to say that work is underway. The federal government provides for up to 200 existing homes to be upgraded across the state and, again, the first of those upgrades is already underway. Housing construction on the lands is underwritten by long-term leases negotiated on agreed housing lots negotiated with the communities to provide stability of tenure and to create a base on which real improvement in these communities can be created.

Local communities are playing an important role in identifying location, size and style of houses relevant for their community. The MOU commits the government and the APY executive to work together on the delivery of improved housing and social outcomes for those living on the lands. With a 20 per cent employment target, the MOU provides for substantial training and employment opportunities for Anangu through involvement in the construction, maintenance and administration of these homes.

The MOU agrees to the establishment of a public housing model of management. Residents of new and upgraded houses will also receive extra support to make their tenancies a success. They will be assisted to make tenancy plans as well as participate in homemaker services and family support education. The Housing SA position on the lands has been upgraded to regional manager status, and the officer will be required to work closely with the APY executive, local communities, and other lands-based services to help ensure that the provision of this new housing has sustained benefits in these communities.

The agreement will be reviewed annually, so we can continue to build on it and improve as we learn. I look forward to working with the APY council to continue to make progress in the lands, and thank them for their effort, cooperation and commitment to their community and to these significant initiatives.

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