Media Release
Re-elected Government must now deliver on housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Association (NATSIHA) congratulates the Albanese Government on its re-election and acknowledges Minister Clare O’Neil and her team for their continued leadership in housing.
We also acknowledge Senator Malarndirri McCarthy for her steadfast support and ongoing advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Her voice continues to be a powerful force in keeping community priorities at the forefront of national conversations.
This new term presents a genuine opportunity to shift from commitment to delivery—and we are optimistic about what can be achieved in partnership. The scale of investment through initiatives like the Housing Australia Future Fund reflects a clear recognition of the housing crisis facing many Australians, and the long-standing, urgent needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
We welcome this intent and look forward to working with the re-elected Government to ensure funding reaches where it’s needed most—through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Organisations who are ready to lead solutions.
“We value the strong relationship we’ve built with the Government and the shared commitment to better housing outcomes for our people. This next term is our opportunity to build on that foundation— turning commitments into action, and investment into lasting change.” said Zachariah Matysek, Acting CEO of NATSIHA.
To support this, NATSIHA is calling for:
- A dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander round of the Housing Australia Future Fund to enable culturally safe, community-led housing responses.
- Direct investment into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Organisations so they can scale their impact and meet rising demand.
- A national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Plan, developed in genuine partnership, to guide long-term, structural change.
As the national peak body, NATSIHA brings deep community connection, policy expertise and a network of housing organisations already doing the work. We are ready to lead. With the right settings and support, we can unlock real progress.
We’re hopeful this next term will be remembered as the one where government and community worked together to deliver not just more housing, but better outcomes—led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, for our people.
For media enquiries, please contact: media@natsiha.org.au