November 2023

Funding announced for First Nations Heritage Grants

Posted: November 24th, 2023

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) have announced the first round of funding for their First Nations Heritage Grants.

The grants are design to provide funding for projects aimed at:

• identifying new Indigenous heritage values at existing World Heritage and National Heritage-listed places,
• preparing submissions for the addition of Indigenous heritage values to existing World Heritage and National Heritage listings,
• increasing protection of World Heritage and National Heritage-listed places with Indigenous heritage values that may or may not be recognised in the heritage listing for the place, and
• improving management of World Heritage and National Heritage-listed places with Indigenous heritage values that may or may not be recognised in the heritage listing for the place.

The funding is available for a wide range of applicants including PBCs, land councils, and individuals. $2 million has initially been made available, with grants ranging from $25,000 to $250,000.

Applications are open until 24 January 2024. To find out more or to apply, click here.

YMAC welcomes release of First Nations Clean Energy Strategy consultation paper

Posted: November 22nd, 2023

YMAC welcomes the Federal Governments release of a consultation paper that will inform the development of Australia’s First Nations Clean Energy Strategy.

The Strategy, developed with First Nations people, is formulated to enable real partnerships that will drive investment, workforce development and First Nations business opportunities – genuine opportunities for economic empowerment of First Nations people.

Rural and remote First Nations communities face overwhelming energy insecurity, and this strategy aims to target fairer access to cleaner, reliable and cheaper energy for these communities.

The Strategy is being developed in partnership with First Nations people, with six roundtables held over the last eight months to provide feedback and guidance. Ensuring Traditional Owners are a part of the decision-making process is crucial to the success of any policy affecting their communities and Country.

The First Nations Clean Energy and Emissions Reduction Advisory Committee, on which YMAC CEO Simon Hawkins serves as an advisory member, also contributed to the consultation paper.

If you want to respond to the consultation paper, visit the DCCEEW website by clicking here.

Class action investigation announced over housing justice for Aboriginal tenants in remote communities

Posted: November 13th, 2023

Law firm Slater and Gordon have announced they are investigating a potential class action on behalf of thousands of tenants living in substandard public housing throughout remote Aboriginal communities.

The announcement comes after a landmark High Court decision that found a tenant living in the remote Central Australian community of Santa Teresa can sue their landlord for distress and disappointment over the failure to carry out repairs.

The case was argued by Australian Lawyers for Remote Aboriginal Rights (ALRAR), who Slater and Gordon have now teamed up with to visit several remote communities in WA and investigate properties they believe are unfit for habitation under residential tenancy laws.

The proposed class action will seek improvements to public housing in remote communities across WA, as well as financial compensation for the thousands of Aboriginal tenants who have been living in substandard properties.

The proposed claim would seek damages related to breaches of contract, including:

• repayment of rent where the property was not reasonably comfortable or safe
• the inconvenience experienced by tenants dealing with housing issues
• incurred expenditure to rectify housing issues that tenants had paid for, and
• disappointment and distress caused by housing issues.

YMAC will continue to provide updates on any potential class action lawsuit to our members and relevant PBCs.