AUSTRALIA 
Nelson, Brough out of Indigenous housing commission
Thursday, 22 May, 2008
Federal Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson has pulled out of the Government's bipartisan commission on Indigenous housing. (AAP)
The federal government's indigenous "war cabinet" will not be a bipartisan one as planned, after a decision today by the prime minister, Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson says.
Dr Nelson said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd called him today to tell him he had decided to reject his advice to include former indigenous affairs minister Mal Brough on the housing policy advisory group.
"Mr Rudd has on that basis decided that he will proceed with the indigenous housing commission, but it will not be a bipartisan one directly including myself," Dr Nelson said.
Dr Nelson was initially invited to co-chair the commission, when Mr Rudd announced it with the delivery of a national apology to indigenous Australians.
Dr Nelson said Mr Rudd did accept his other nominations for the group, including ALP president Warren Mundine.
He told reporters in Melbourne he still believed there was a place for the commission.
"We will continue to support it where we believe it is doing the right thing but if it is failing the interests of indigenous Australians, clearly we reserve the right to be critical of it."
Dr Nelson said Mr Rudd told him he rejected Mr Brough's nomination because he did not want serving politicians or former politicians involved.
"Mal Brough is a man of common sense and action and I'm disappointed there was no place for him, but I respect Mr Rudd's decision," Dr Nelson said.
"It's disappointing Mr Rudd could not accept Mr Brough, but that goes to the deep ideological opposition to the Northern Territory intervention and other things which are elements the Labor Party don't support," he said.
Dr Nelson said was keen to see how the commission performs.
"We will not be an active member of the indigenous housing policy commission but obviously we will watch it with great interest."
Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin said the commission was made up of "senior and experienced people" who would provide the government with high level advice on how to lift the quality of housing for indigenous Australians.
"We recognise that the people we put on (the commission) are going to provide the government with very important advice about how we can improve the standard of housing in indigenous communities," Ms Macklin told reporters.
"I don't intend to get into the politics of this, we believe it should be above politics."
"I look forward to a time where we can, in a bipartisan way, deliver an improved standard of housing."
Source: AAP
Dr Nelson said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd called him today to tell him he had decided to reject his advice to include former indigenous affairs minister Mal Brough on the housing policy advisory group.
"Mr Rudd has on that basis decided that he will proceed with the indigenous housing commission, but it will not be a bipartisan one directly including myself," Dr Nelson said.
Dr Nelson was initially invited to co-chair the commission, when Mr Rudd announced it with the delivery of a national apology to indigenous Australians.
Dr Nelson said Mr Rudd did accept his other nominations for the group, including ALP president Warren Mundine.
He told reporters in Melbourne he still believed there was a place for the commission.
"We will continue to support it where we believe it is doing the right thing but if it is failing the interests of indigenous Australians, clearly we reserve the right to be critical of it."
Dr Nelson said Mr Rudd told him he rejected Mr Brough's nomination because he did not want serving politicians or former politicians involved.
"Mal Brough is a man of common sense and action and I'm disappointed there was no place for him, but I respect Mr Rudd's decision," Dr Nelson said.
"It's disappointing Mr Rudd could not accept Mr Brough, but that goes to the deep ideological opposition to the Northern Territory intervention and other things which are elements the Labor Party don't support," he said.
Dr Nelson said was keen to see how the commission performs.
"We will not be an active member of the indigenous housing policy commission but obviously we will watch it with great interest."
Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin said the commission was made up of "senior and experienced people" who would provide the government with high level advice on how to lift the quality of housing for indigenous Australians.
"We recognise that the people we put on (the commission) are going to provide the government with very important advice about how we can improve the standard of housing in indigenous communities," Ms Macklin told reporters.
"I don't intend to get into the politics of this, we believe it should be above politics."
"I look forward to a time where we can, in a bipartisan way, deliver an improved standard of housing."
Source: AAP
