Although this conference was a great success, with many progressive opinions, ideas and initiatives presented that can help to drive the sector forward, it was a stark reminder of the journey travelled since 9 December 1976 when the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 was passed in the Australian Parliament, giving inalienable freehold title to certain land in the NT. 

We have come along way, but not far enough. 

The Land Rights Act was the first time an Australian government sought to legally recognise the Aboriginal system of land ownership and put into law the concept of inalienable freehold title. The Land Rights Act made it possible to establish the Northern Land Council and Central Land Council, and they were soon followed by the Tiwi and Anindilyakwa land councils. 

Aboriginal Traditional Owners own the Aboriginal reserves and other land in the NT under Australian law. Authority to own their own land (known as the Title) is given to land trusts. The Land Rights Act provides for land councils to administer the matters relating to the land. The land councils take direction from the Traditional Owners. 

Homelands communities are critical to the Northern Territory’s housing continuum, providing employment opportunities and significantly improving health outcomes. Supporting homelands reduces the high economic burden experienced in the health, justice, education and unemployment sectors. 

The Australian Government was responsible for funding Northern Territory Homeland communities until 2015. In 2015, the then CLP NT Government accepted a cash out payment of $155 million of the municipal and essential services component of the Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory National Partnership Agreement, transferring fiscal and policy responsibility for Homeland communities from the Commonwealth to the Northern Territory Government. 

Since 2015, no new houses have been built on Homeland communities, with existing housing and essential infrastructure ageing significantly. The $220 million, five-year joint funding commitment from the Australian and Northern Territory governments as part of the Restoring Funding for Northern Territory Homelands agreement has been welcome and has delivered some good outcomes in repairs and maintenance and minor new works – but not one new house has been built. 

Recent Commonwealth investment demonstrates the responsibility the Australian Government continues to share for Homelands communities. The Northern Territory Government cannot do it alone. Territory and Federal governments have important roles ensuring the survival and sustainability of Homelands and must commit to long-term funding to ensure stability and confidence across the Sector. 

Aboriginal Housing NT chief executive Leeanne Caton says: “Fifty Years of land rights have passed and Aboriginal people are still on the bottom rung of the socio-economic ladder. 

“Aboriginal people remain entrenched in poverty but we continue to fight every day for survival and for the future of our children and future generations. 

“We are still here despite unimaginable hardships – and we are not going anywhere. We will continue to fight for our rights as the first peoples of this land.”