$25m deal for Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara dwellings cleared
Pia Akerman; 20/6/08
Housing funding of $25million for South Australia’s troubled Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands finally cleared yesterday, easing strained relations between local indigenous leaders and the state Labor Government. The APY executive and the South Australian Government have formed a revised memorandum of understanding and the largest community on the lands, Pukatja (Ernabella), has also now agreed to the key conditions of the deal, including 50-year leases, down from the 99-year leases pursued by the Howard government. The breakthrough comes as Bernard Singer, chairman of the APY Lands board, faces court in Port Augusta today, on a charge of aggravated assault. He has also been charged with driving offences and breaching alcohol restrictions on the lands. Mr Singer has repeatedly refused government requests to stand aside from the board, leading Aboriginal Affairs Minister Jay Weatherill to refer the case to state Attorney-General Michael Atkinson.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23892770-5013404,00.html
Tags: Aboriginal, Australia, Housing