ATNS - Agreements, Treaties and Negotiated Settlements project

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Trilateral Indigenous Housing Agreement between the Australian Government, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC)
Date:	10 July 2002
Place:
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State/Country:	Australian Capital Territory, Australia
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Alternative Names:	Indigenous Housing Agreement (ACT) Housing Assistance (Commonwealth/State Housing Agreement 1999-2003) (Trilateral Indigenous Housing Agreement) Notice 2006 Indigenous Trilateral Housing Agreement (ACT) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Trilateral Housing Agreement (ACT)
Subject Matter:
URL:	http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/ni/2006-6/current/pdf/2006-6.pdf
Summary Information:
The Trilateral Indigenous Housing Agreement between the Australian Government, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) ('the Agreement') was signed by the Commonwealth Minister for Family and Community Services, on behalf of the Commonwealth Government, the Minister for Disability Housing and Community Services, on behalf of the ACT Government and the Chairman of ATSIC and the Chairperson of the Queanbeyan Regional Council, on behalf of ATSIC, on 10 July 2002. The original term of the Agreement was from 10 July 2002 to 30 June 2003, but it was later extended to the period from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004 (ACT Government 2005a). The Recitals to the Agreement state that it 'pursues equitable housing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the ACT by establishing a framework for a partnership between the [parties], and in the planning, delivery and administration of housing and related infrastructure for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in the ACT.' The Agreement was made in accordance with: - COAG's National Commitment to Improved Outcomes in the Delivery of Programs and Services for Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islanders; - COAG's Framework to Advance Reconciliation; - Building a Better Future: Indigenous Housing to 2010; - the Bilateral Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the Australian Capital Territory under the Commonwealth State Housing Agreement 1999-2003 ('the CSHA'); and - the Australian Capital Territory Government and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Statement of Intent.
Detailed Information:
Need The Agreement recognised that 'there is an identified need for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing in the ACT' (cl 5.1) and that 'reports demonstrate that there is considerable unmet need, and that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience significant housing disadvantage in terms of homelessness, overcrowding, and housing affordability' (cl 5.2). Funding The Agreement enabled the pooling of funds and resources from the Commonwealth Government under the CSHA, from the ACT Government and from CHIP funds identified by the Queanbeyan Regional Council (cl 10.2). Roles and responsibilities The Commonwealth agreed to: - provide funding through the CSHA; - 'examine the establishment of sustainable organisational model to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing in the ACT', subject to a viability study; - provide research and advice about Commonwealth policies to forums in the Agreement; - promote coordination regarding Commonwealth-linked programs; - provide support and advice regarding data collection under the Agreement on National Indigenous Housing Information; and - participate in the Steering Committee, the Mandatory Housing Forum and the Joint Forum. The ACT Government, which was responsible for delivering public housing infrastructure and related infrastructure in the ACT, agreed to: - identify housing priorities; - develop strategic planning policy, subject to the outcome of the viability study into the 'sustainable organisational model'; - manage resources for housing programs until a viable organisation is established for ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing; - promote coordination regarding ACT-linked programs; - provide funds and/or dwellings; - promote maintenance of assets; - assist in developing and implementing housing priorities and promoting coordination of housing programs; - provide advice about ACT policies to the forums in the Agreement; - seek ministerial endorsement of the Annual Plan set out in Schedule 2; and - establish and participate in the Steering Committee, the Mandatory Housing Forum and the Joint Forum. ATSIC agreed to: - identify housing priorities; - provide funds, subject to the outcome of the viability study into the 'sustainable organisational model'; - provide support and advice regarding data collection under the Agreement on National Indigenous Housing Information; - promote coordination regarding ATSIC-linked programs and Regional Council Strategic Plans; - assist in the development and implementation of a housing plan; - approve the Annual Plan set out in Schedule 2 as being a basis of Regional Council funding; - monitor the Agreement's program management and administration; and - participate in the Steering Committee, the Mandatory Housing Forum and the Joint Forum. Steering Committee The terms of reference of the Steering Committee are set out in Schedule 3 of the Agreement. The Steering Committee was established under the Agreement 'to assist in community consultation, identifying housing and related infrastructure needs and priorities, and to ensure priorities identified in the Annual Plan [in Schedule 2] are undertaken each year' (cl 9.2). Mandatory Housing Forum It was agreed that the Mandatory Housing Forum was to be a means through which to consult with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities regarding 'all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing matters' (cl 9.1). It was to be held annually and was open to any member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities of the ACT.