Closing the Gap: states and territories pledge to lift First Nations housing standards

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney: ‘We can ensure that we lift the standard of living for First Nations people in this country …’ Photograph: Carly Earl/The Guardian

State and territory governments will be required to ensure all First Nations houses in homeland communities and town camps meet or exceed minimum standards for essential services within the next decade, under new targets agreed by the joint council on Closing the Gap.

The minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney, the assistant minister, Malarndirri McCarthy, and their state and territory counterparts met Aboriginal peak bodies in Adelaide on Friday to discuss progress on social, health, economic and educational indicators.