Palaszczuk Government demands fair funding from Canberra

The Palaszczuk Government has taken Queensland's demands for fair funding for remote indigenous housing in Queensland to Canberra, with Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni today joining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in an unprecedented approach  to Parliament House in Canberra ahead of COAG and the Prime Ministers Closing the Gap report, both of which are expected to take place within the next week.

The Minister will also meet with several Senators and Members of Parliament, along with Mayors and representatives of Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Councils, the Local Government Association of Queensland, and Q Shelter.

"The Federal Government is still refusing to come to the table with any commitment to continue our partnership to deliver housing in our remote communities," Mr de Brenni said.

"We have clearly met or exceeded all benchmarks in our previous agreement. What we have been doing is working, but there is still so much more to be done - and without a further funding agreement, there is much to be lost.

"The cessation of this partnership will mean 850 jobs - real jobs - will be immediately lost in these remote communities, where other jobs simply aren't available. You can't send out your CV and pick up another job, they don't exist.

"Instead, it seems the Federal Government would rather see these workers and apprentices who are currently learning a trade, earning money, and benefiting from the dignity of work, languishing on Newstart.

"The only kind of employment opportunity that will provide to people in remote communities is Work for the Dole projects, which doesn't in any way progress the Closing the Gap outcomes for employment or indigenous self-determination."

Mr de Brenni said the delegation of indigenous leaders, the Local Government Association of Queensland and Queensland Government representatives will be making quite clear the consequences of this funding cut right across the Coalition Party Room.

"All we're asking for is what's fair for these Queensland communities.

"We need this commitment from the Federal government urgently, or construction simply won't resume after the wet season.

"Having a safe, secure roof over your head isn't a privilege, it's a basic right - and one which underpins virtually every other basic human need."

ENDS

Media contact: Cat Milton 0410 644 113