Indigenous Policy Commission for Housing - Brendan Nelson

Brenan Nelson pulls out of National Policy Commission to develop innovative proposals to improve the provision of housing in remote Indigenous communities

Brendan Nelson

Brendan Nelson
Mr Rudd phoned me earlier today and we had a discussion about the Indigenous policy commission for housing. I wish to inform you that Mr Rudd has decided not to accept the advice that I have given him to include Mal Brough, the former Indigenous Affairs Minister, in the advisory group for the Indigenous housing policy commission. Mr Rudd has on that basis decided that he will proceed with the Indigenous housing commission but it will not be a bipartisan one directly including myself.

He has decided to accept the other recommendations for membership of the Indigenous housing policy commission which I put forward to him. I have advised him that I think there is a real place for an Indigenous housing policy commission. We will continue to support it where we believe it is doing the right thing but if it is failing the interests of Indigenous Australians clearly we reserve the right to be critical of it.

Whatever the politics of Australians, it’s very clear that Mal Brough represents common sense, the very best interests of Indigenous people, applying solutions to what has been a long term and intractable problem for 90,000 Aboriginal people living in remote parts of the country. I’m disappointed that Mr Rudd and the Labor Government were not able to accept his nomination but that is their right and I certainly hope that the Indigenous policy commission on housing delivers the outcomes that Aboriginal people so desperately need.

Should Mr Rudd have accepted the nomination of Mr Brough?
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When asked about the reason for pulling out of the commission Dr Nelson continued:

Well I wouldn’t normally disclose private conversations but I think it’s fair to say that he had said that he didn’t want any serving or former politicians on the advisory group for the housing commission and for that reason he’s not accepting Mr Brough. That’s his prerogative; he’s able to do so if that’s what he wants to do. But I think every Australian who is deeply concerned about and cares for advancement of Indigenous people knows that Mal Brough is a man of common sense and action. And I’m disappointed that there was no place for him, but I respect Mr Rudd’s decision and we will not be an active member of the Indigenous housing policy commission but obviously we will watch it with great interest on behalf of indigenous people.