Press release from Tangentyere Council Inc

Tangentyere calls on the Australian Government to continue towards reaching a negotiated outcome with the Town Camp Communities rather than resort to compulsory acquisition.

Tangentyere refute comments made today by the Minister about how housing is managed across the Town Camp Communities.

All residents currently pay rent at 23% of their income, have signed tenancy agreements, and are allocated their house based on need.

Tangentyere maintains waiting lists for each Town Camp Community, with close to 90% of all current tenants in the lowest socio-economic bracket.

President of Tangentyere council, Walter Shaw said “with the help of the Australian Government Tangentyere has established the Central Australian Affordable Housing Company. The Minister knows that through the establishment of this company we
are committed to tenancy reform, as this was the key message that we took to her when we met last week. It is extremely disappointing to hear the Minister say otherwise.”

Executive Director of Tangentyere Council, William Tilmouth, said “we are committed to open and transparent governance and tenancy management, which is why we have established the Central Australian Affordable Housing Company. We are saying that there are two ways to achieve tenancy reform, one through the public housing system and one through the community housing system by reaching accreditation against the National Community Housing Standards.”

“We still believe that we are very close to reaching agreement, and hope that this can be achieved over the coming weeks.”

“Tangentyere has reconfirmed its commitment to 40 year leases, an open and competitive tender process, and to complete the tenancy reform process commenced in February this year.”

“Town Camp people have no faith in the Northern Territory Government or their public housing system. This is why we lobbied successfully in March last year to establish the Central Australian Affordable Housing Company. All we are now asking for is that the Minister shows some faith in the company she funded to establish, and allow it a chance to prove itself.”