Tinley challenges PM to commit cash to remote housing

WA Housing Minister Peter Tinley has today called on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to negotiate a new long-term funding agreement for housing in remote Aboriginal communities, with current arrangements set to expire on June 30.

Under this 10-year agreement the Commonwealth contributes $100 million a year to help the State support remote communities in Western Australia.

Mr Tinley said the State Government invests almost $86 million annually for housing and related infrastructure and services in remote communities and being saddled with a shortfall of $100 million would amount to leaving WA with “an impossible financial burden into the future”.

“It is not acceptable for the Turnbull Government to simply provide a token short-term extension to the current funding agreement and then walk away from its longstanding responsibility in this area of acute need,” he said.

“It will be extremely difficult to sustain services to these communities if the Commonwealth follows through on its decision to remove the very funding contribution that helps support them.”

The call to Mr Turnbull was made following Mr Tinley’s comments in Parliament today addressing Federal Aboriginal Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion’s actions in handling the decision.