Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator McCarthy. Housing is central to the government's commitment to closing the gap, particularly in remote communities. Recognising our government has been working hard to shift the dial for First Nations people and make a practical difference in their lives such as by accelerating construction of housing in remote communities, can you, Minister, outline how this and other measures by our government are supporting housing for First Nations people in the Northern Territory?

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

I thank Senator Polley for the question, a very important one. The Albanese government is delivering safe and secure homes right across Australia, including in remote First Nations communities. When you want the work done, call the Labor Party. We're getting on with the job of building 1.2 million homes, helping people buy and making renting fairer, unlike you guys.

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McCarthy, please resume your seat. Order!

Senator Colbeck, I've called order. Minister McCarthy, please continue.

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to 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.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Polley, first supplementary?

Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister, for outlining the government's commitments to improving housing for our First Nations people in the Northern Territory. Can you tell us more about the $4 billion agreement and what practical outcomes this investment is having in reducing overcrowding and improving the quality of homes in remote communities, and can you tell us more about your can-do attitude?

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

Yes, the Northern Territory has the highest level of overcrowding in the country, and this is a serious matter. Better housing for Aboriginal people living in remote Northern Territory communities is a priority for the Albanese Labor government. We know that overcrowding leads to poorer outcomes in terms of health, education and safety. If we invest in better housing, we will get better outcomes across the board. We are working to halve overcrowding by building 270 houses each year or 2,700 homes over the 10-year agreement. This is on top of the 1,950 bedrooms and over 200 homes which were built under the previous National Partnership on Remote Housing. We are committed to practical actions that improve the lives of First Nations people. Building more homes in remote communities will reduce overcrowding and improve health and education outcomes.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Polley, second supplementary?

Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. It's great to hear about how this investment is leading to tangible outcomes for First Nations people in remote communities. What challenges is the government working to overcome to deliver on this commitment?

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

Thank you, Senator Polley. Yes, now the work does begin, and having conversations this week with the new Minister for Housing Construction, Bill Yan, was critically important for us to make sure that the $2 billion from the Commonwealth and the $2 billion from the Northern Territory actually do hit the ground in terms of remote and regional Australia. I do want to see the Northern Territory and federal governments working together to deliver on this historic agreement for the benefit of First Nations people.

It's a lesson that Minister Yan's colleagues here in the federal parliament should take note of. The Liberal Party in this place seems more interested in opposing everything for the sake of opposition. Peter Dutton's Liberal Party—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Peter Dutton MP's Liberal Party don't have a plan for the Northern Territory, and they don't have a plan for housing.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McCarthy, I do remind you as well to refer to the leader in the other place by his correct title.