Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Hansard source

We're getting on with the job of building 1.2 million homes, helping people buy and making renting fairer, unlike this lot across the chamber. We need all options on the table, and that's what this Labor government is doing, because we know this issue is too important to wait. Too many Indigenous Australians live in overcrowded and run-down houses. Addressing overcrowding and poor housing is crucial to improving health, education, employment and justice outcomes.

We're providing immediate support to the areas of greatest need, including the remote NT, where overcrowding is the highest. Earlier this year, I was with former minister Burney and Selena Uibo, an Indigenous member of the then Labor government, and also the member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour, and we signed a historic deal with the Northern Territory to improve housing over 10 years, worth $4 billion. This will see up to 270 homes—

Opposition senators interjecting—

So you don't want to see houses for remote regional Australia, or you don't want to see houses full stop—not even for remote and regional Australia? What about the $4 million investment in the Northern Territory. We haven't heard a word from that side—not one word, only constant criticism, when we know we need the houses in remote and regional Australia.