Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Before I ask my question, I'd like to acknowledge the Northern Territory housing minister, Gerry McCarthy, in the audience here today. My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator Scullion. The minister's Remote housing review found that since the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing commenced in 2008, overcrowding amongst Indigenous households has fallen from 52.1 per cent to 37.4 per cent—a reduction of 28 per cent. The review also found that Queensland, WA and South Australia exceeded their targets for Indigenous housing refurbishments by 23 per cent, 35 per cent and 60 per cent respectively. Minister, given the findings of your own Remote housing review, why are you withdrawing Indigenous housing assistance from those states?