The Palaszczuk Government needs to start working with Canberra to deliver better housing for remote indigenous communities, according to Shadow Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Dr Christian Rowan.
“Over the past decade the Federal Government has invested over $1 billion in Queensland through the Remote Housing Strategy,” Dr Rowan said.
“That funding has refurbished 1,490 homes and built another 1,144.
“The Palaszczuk Government can’t point to a single home it has built in remote indigenous communities with state money.
“Labor Ministers talk a lot about remote indigenous housing – but never actually deliver.
“They’re more interested in picking fights with the Federal Government than helping people.
“Closing the gap on indigenous disadvantage should be a bi-partisan issue, not a political football.”
The Federal Government’s 10-year remote housing strategy is coming to a close and it has offered to enter in negotiations over future funding with Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory.
So far only the Northern Territory has put forward a funding commitment, which Canberra has matched.
Dr Rowan also called on the Palaszczuk Government to review its decision to cut the funding for the Indigenous Diabetes Eyes and Screening Van (IDEAS) which has helped save or restore the eyesight of thousands of indigenous Queenslanders since 2013.
“Our indigenous communities need decent housing and quality health services,” Dr Rowan said.
“Labor needs to stop picking fights and start working for remote communities.”
