The clear message from the Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program (SIHIP) review is that the Federal government does not trust the NT Government to handle the matter . Just like the Gulf War, the Feds have decided to embed a senior Commonwealth representative, along with others, to keep a close watch on SIHIP , which nearly brought down the Henderson Government and is seriously embarrassing the Rudd government Minister for Families, Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Ms Jenny Macklin.
In fact, Minister Macklin stated on radio that the NT had four months in which to lift its game . This was a reference to the fact that SIHIP will undergo another review at the end of this period. Under the previous arrangement , the review pointed out, responsibility for day to day delivery was with the NT Government, the Commonwealth having little say. The new structure, however, would see nominated officers accountable and responsible for providing consistent advice to government and "rapid response to critical feedback."
The review also said the Commonwealth should be prepared to take what it termed both unusual and urgent action in the matter to deliver the promise of 750 houses , 230 rebuilds and 2500 refurbishments. It also touched on the Territory disease of departments calling in expensive consultants instead of doing the work they should be carrying out themselves . In brief, the review said so far $45.54 million had been spent by SIHIP ; the average cost would be –houses, $450,000 ( down from $550,000 plus ) ; rebuilds, $ 20,000 to $100,000 and refurbishments, $75,000; SIHIP management levels will be reduced from six to three ; administration costs to be reduced from 11.4 per cent to eight.
The strong Commonwealth intervention in SIHIP vindicates the response of former NT Minister for Indigenous Affairs , Alison Anderson . It also underlines the NT Government's failure- in this and other matters - to respond to critical feedback, regarding criticism as "negative" , preferring spin to real action.
