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In a significant move, the Aboriginal community of Papunya has initiated legal proceedings against the Northern Territory Government, alleging failure to ensure the safety of their housing amid severe heat conditions.
Four community members, guided by the Human Rights Law Centre, argue that long-standing governmental indifference towards public housing in remote areas, coupled with escalating temperatures, is adversely affecting their community’s health.
This week, they officially filed their case with the Federal Court.
Situated roughly 250 kilometers northwest of Alice Springs, Papunya endures temperatures soaring beyond 40 degrees Celsius. Unfortunately, many public housing units lack essential features such as proper insulation, shading, or air conditioning.
Such extreme heat can be life-threatening, especially for vulnerable groups, including young children, Elders, and those with chronic illnesses.
Papunya resident and applicant, Ashley Robertson, says most of the properties were built over three decades ago.
“They’re really rundown and not built for the kind of summers we’re getting now,” the Warlpiri and Luritja man said.
The 44-year-old is a grandfather, and lives with most of his family.
“When you’re living in a house with a lot of people, we’re going into hundreds of dollars of debt just to keep the house cool for a few days,” he said.
“When it gets really hot, people have to sleep outside. It’s hard on the kids and old people.”
He says the legal action is a call to the NT Government for housing that enables children in Papunya to live “happy healthy lives”.
It’s the first legal action that seeks to ensure that government are required to provide public housing that protect residents from the rising heat and will set a national precedent.
Luritja man and Papunya resident, Garrard Anderson, said the territory government hasn’t been listening to Aboriginal communities.
“There are major issues with housing in Papunya. Many houses don’t have insulation or working air conditioning and there’s a lot of overcrowding. In the summer when it’s hot, it’s just impossible to live in these conditions,” he said.
“The NT Government hasn’t been listening to Aboriginal communities when it comes to housing. We know what works for our community, and the Government needs to work with us on Aboriginal-led efforts for innovative, culturally appropriate, and sustainable housing.”
He said the case isn’t just about those who live in Papunya now, but those who have the right to live there in the future.
“I grew up here and this is a special place, with strong people and a proud tradition of art, music and culture,” he said.
“We’re fighting for the next generation who deserve to live on Country in housing that is safe, long-lasting, and fit for the climate here in Papunya.”
Human Rights Law Centre Senior Lawyer, Jack McLean said the NT Government is “failing families living in remote Aboriginal communities”.
“Our clients have repeatedly raised these concerns with the NT Government but to date have seen little action to improve their situation,” he said.
“The climate crisis is driving more dangerous and extreme heat events, and we know it’s only going to get worse.
“The Northern Territory Government and governments across Australia should be taking urgent action to invest in climate-safe housing as well as drastically curbing emissions to keep communities safe.”