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Social Justice & Human Rights Issues:
A Global Perspective
Responses and initiativesIndigenous Australian Case Study:
Torres Strait Mer (Murray Island) and Eddie 'Koiki' Mabo5. Housing
The traditional houses of the Islands were well built and strong. They had bamboo for poles and the framework. Palm leaves and course grass were used for thatched roofs and walls. The houses of the eastern islands, including Murray Island, were 'beehive' shaped. Those in the north were similar to those of Papua, built on poles 3 metres above the ground. They had a gabled roof and an under-house section, which was walled with palm, leaves, and served as a guest room. The houses closer to the mainland were often temporary shelters.
On Murray Island the traditional houses were five to nine metres in diameter. They were up to 6.5 metres tall. The Islanders entered the hut by crawling through a triangular doorway. A makeshift door was used, usually made from heavy board, to block the entrance. The hut was thatched with grass on bamboo stays. A large house would have a sleeping platform inside to accommodate six people. The centre pole was made from bamboo and would be capped with a trumpet shell. The hut was a strong-layered structure able to withstand sneak attacks. It was however vulnerable to fire.
A Murray Island Round House
(drawing: Gail Mabo)
A typical Island hut found on Murray Island today. Eddie Mabo
built this hut. (photograph: Gail Mabo)
Once again the issue of independent statistics for Islander housing is an issue. The following statistics provide a limited amount of information on housing for Indigenous people.
Renting
69% of Indigenous people were renting as opposed to 27% for non-indigenous Australians.
Home Ownership
In Indigenous households it was 25% as apposed to 71% for non-indigenous households.
Remote Housing requirements
In 1994 an estimated $3.1 billion was required to meet indigenous housing needs and infrastructure in remote areas. ATSIC estimated that it would take 20 years to address this level of funding.
Housing Conditions
- 34% of communities had a water supply below the standard set by the Commonwealth Government as being safe for human consumption.
- 13% of communities did not have a regular water supply.
- 64% of communities had less than 50% of their internal roads sealed.
Disadvantage
Indigenous families are 20 times more likely to be homeless than non-Indigenous families
(Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Housing Characteristics and Conditions, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Survey 1994, AGPS, 1996)
The Queensland Government has been addressing the issues of housing in the Torres Strait through the Department of Housing and Torres Strait Island Community Councils. The Department of Housing implemented its Community Housing Management Strategy and trained its staff to have a greater understanding of housing management, tenancy, assets and arrears management in the Torres Strait.
The Department, through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing, aims to improve access for Torres Strait Islander people to secure, affordable and appropriate housing throughout Queensland.
The Department in 1999/2000 achieved the following:
• Provided affordable housing to nearly 3,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households through its rental program.
• Assisted 1,800 Indigenous households through public rental housing and at least 700 Indigenous households through a community rent scheme.
• Improved the quality of life for Indigenous people on Thursday Island by providing additional accommodation, redevelopment of housing and infrastructure development.
• Constructed 68 dwellings and completed 60 dwellings from previous years.
• Upgraded 202 dwellings
• Reduced waiting times for Islanders seeking accommodation.
• Reduced the rental arrears rate.
(Source: Queensland Department of Public Housing)
Eddie Mabo was also involved in providing appropriate housing on the mainland for Torres Strait Islanders.
Gail Mabo tells the story:
Yumba Meta Housing Association
My father was the President of the Yumba Meta Housing Association from 1975 to 1980. The Association was set up to purchase houses using Commonwealth funds. The Association was then responsible for renting the properties back to Indigenous people.
Racism, community politics and Indigenous organising have a major influence on Indigenous projects. My father was responsible for collecting the rent for the houses. He had to do this if the Association was to continue to receive government funding. He had to chase people who owed thousands of dollars in rent and, in some cases, evict them. This led to death threats against my father and his family. If my father had not continued with this job then the Association would have been finished and Indigenous people would not have had access to housing.
My father was always worried about the death threats. He used to make sure that we were in before dark and if we weren't then he would worry. My mother would make a big bed in the lounge room so that my parents could listen and watch over us.
Activity
Research and answer the following questions on Torres Strait Islander housing.
1. What was the impact of colonisation and subsequent events on Islander housing and the environment?
2. What do the statistics tell us about Islanders' housing standards?
3. What mainstream government housing programs and strategies exist to address Islander housing issues, including culturally appropriate programs and strategies
4. What has been the impact of housing on Islander lifestyle factors?
5. What has been the importance of regaining land in addressing the housing situation for Islander peoples?
6. What Islander initiatives have there been to improve housing, including community-based programs
7. What social and political changes are necessary to improve Islanders' housing standards
8. What similarities and differences in housing issues are there for Islander and Aboriginal communities?
Click on the links below to investigate other topics in this Indigenous Australian Case Study:
1. Overview of the Torres Strait Islands
2. Overview of Mer (Murray Island)
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