Comments on: Macklin gives Aboriginal communities two flawed housing options http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/01/09/macklin-gives-aboriginal-communities-two-flawed-housing-options/ now with extra source Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:27:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Bill Thompson http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/01/09/macklin-gives-aboriginal-communities-two-flawed-housing-options/#comment-602 Bill Thompson Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-602 When the cost of essential maintenance by qualified and licensed trades such as plumbers and electricians is taken into account, then no one will consider purchase of any property in remote, isolated communities. The result will be even less maintenance undertaken than that currently occurring. In fact, this should be well known to the federal, state and territory governments, as they evidently have had long term difficulties in meeting the recurring costs. The appalling state of repairs to dwellings and other structures in these communities is witness to this. Back to the drawing board Minister Macklin! When the cost of essential maintenance by qualified and licensed trades such as plumbers and electricians is taken into account, then no one will consider purchase of any property in remote, isolated communities. The result will be even less maintenance undertaken than that currently occurring. In fact, this should be well known to the federal, state and territory governments, as they evidently have had long term difficulties in meeting the recurring costs. The appalling state of repairs to dwellings and other structures in these communities is witness to this. Back to the drawing board Minister Macklin!

]]> By: Chris http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/01/09/macklin-gives-aboriginal-communities-two-flawed-housing-options/#comment-603 Chris Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-603 Nice analysis Bob<br /><br />For those interested in reading more - CAEPR - the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research at ANU prduced an excellent paper on this for Oxfam when the idea was first floated by the Howard Govt in 2005.<br />http://www.anu.edu.au/caepr/Publications/DP/2005_DP276.pdf<br />Will Sanders also produced an excellent analysis of housing tenure in remote communities which also argues why private home ownership is an unrealistic and inappropriate option under these circumstances http://www.anu.edu.au/caepr/Publications/DP/2005_DP275.pdf Nice analysis Bob

For those interested in reading more - CAEPR - the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research at ANU prduced an excellent paper on this for Oxfam when the idea was first floated by the Howard Govt in 2005.
http://www.anu.edu.au/caepr/Publications/DP/2005_DP276.pdf
Will Sanders also produced an excellent analysis of housing tenure in remote communities which also argues why private home ownership is an unrealistic and inappropriate option under these circumstances http://www.anu.edu.au/caepr/Publications/DP/2005_DP275.pdf

]]> By: Catherine http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/01/09/macklin-gives-aboriginal-communities-two-flawed-housing-options/#comment-604 Catherine Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-604 The whole notion of home ownership is a good example of how different the priorities and customs of non-Aboriginal Australians are to many Aborigines living in remote communities. In many remote Aboriginal communities, if a family member dies in the house, the rest of the family must move to avoid the site of death. Seems like the Govt wants to impose ideals without having much of an understanding of even really basic norms in Aboriginal culture. What's new? Then they wonder why policies don't work. The whole notion of home ownership is a good example of how different the priorities and customs of non-Aboriginal Australians are to many Aborigines living in remote communities. In many remote Aboriginal communities, if a family member dies in the house, the rest of the family must move to avoid the site of death. Seems like the Govt wants to impose ideals without having much of an understanding of even really basic norms in Aboriginal culture. What’s new? Then they wonder why policies don’t work.

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