The CFMEU has pitched in to help Indigenous Australians who say the Federal Government’s Intervention in the Northern Territory has failed to tackle their basic needs, building one community a  new home.

More than two years since the Federal Government declared the situation among Indigenous communities a national emergency, fewer than a handful of houses have been built.Communities like the Alyawarr people, who live 400 kilometres north of Alice Springs, say the situation is so dire that they have turned to the union movement for help.  

On Saturday the 13th of February, the CFMEU and Alyawarr people got to work on the new house, now in the advanced stages of construction.
CFMEU Construction National Secretary Dave Noonan said that the union was more than willing to do what they can to lend a hand to communities in need.   

“Our members are proud to pitch in and do what they can to help,” Mr Noonan said. “The community asked for assistance from the union to help tackle some of their housing needs, so that’s what we’re doing.” 

Alyawarr community spokesperson Richard Downs said while his community was thrilled with the unions’ help, the project highlighted the monumental failure and waste of the Northern Territory Intervention.

“The Federal Government has spent more than $1 billion in the Intervention and yet it has failed to build one single house in our community,” Mr Downs said.

Mr Downs said that if the Government were serious about improving the standard of living for Indigenous Australians it would offer more practical assistance.

“It’s not a Government Intervention we want or need but practical assistance like housing, training and job opportunities,” Mr Downs said.
“If the Government is serious about tackling disadvantage among our communities then we want to be part of the process and treated respectfully.
 “We want to be treated like partners not like a problem to be managed by the Government.”

  The construction of the house on Saturday the 13th of February coincided with protest rallies around the country against the Federal Government’s Northern Territory Intervention.