The Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui has slammed the Turnbull Government for a budget that has turned its back on Indigenous Australians living in remote Queensland.
“There wasn’t a cent for critical programs like the National Partnership on Remote Housing (NPRH) which will impact on some of Queensland’s most disadvantaged communities.
The Turnbull Government’s decision to end the 50 year old commitment to federal funding for remote indigenous housing will have devastating consequences for Queensland.
Housing is a basic human right. We know that we can’t Close the Gap if people don’t have somewhere safe and secure to live.
“Beyond that, NPRH supports 850 jobs in Far North Queensland – over 500 of these are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers who live in these communities, and 97 of those are apprentices.
Ms Lui said that access to housing was critical for better employment, education and health outcomes.
“Through the NPRH we have been able to address overcrowding which we’ve now nearly halved in Queensland,” Ms Lui said.
“If we want healthy, strong indigenous communities we need to invest in housing as both state and federal governments have done for the past 50 years.”
In Queensland, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander local governments deliver over 80 per cent of all housing construction projects in their local communities, including those funded by the soon-to-expire partnership agreement.
“These projects will support the jobs of local carpenters, tilers, electricians, plumbers, painters, laborers and apprentices, and while that is great news for Far North Queensland, you really have to feel for the tradespeople in these communities who face an uncertain future,” said Ms Lui.
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Media Contact: Cook Electorate Office - 4223 1100
