PRESS RELEASE: Federal Minister Malarndirri McCarthy to Headline Housing First Nations 2026 National Conference in Brisbane

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BRISBANE, QLD — The federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, will deliver a keynote address at the upcoming Housing First Nations 2026 National Conference. Held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on 20–21 October, the premier national event brings together sectoral leaders, policy makers, and community experts to reshape the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing landscape across Australia.
 
Minister McCarthy’s high-profile appearance on Day 1 anchors a packed, multi-themed national program explicitly designed to discuss solutions, challenge systemic barriers, advance self-determination, and unlock pathways toward high-quality, secure housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
 
Conference Convenor and CEO of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Queensland, Neil Willmett, emphasised the program’s timeliness.


”Having Minister McCarthy address the conference delegates highlights the national significance of what we are building here,” Mr Willmett said. “This conference isn’t just about identifying solutions —it is about sharing knowledge and collaborating so that there is greater national impact in First Nations housing.”  
 
A Comprehensive, Action-Oriented Program
Spread across two intensive days and anchored by six core thematic pillars, the revised program balances high-level vision with practical, hands-on workshop streams:

• Human Rights and Self-Determination
• Our Children, Our Future
• Interactive Strategy Workshops
• National Priorities
• Research.

The conference will include keynote addresses by Human Rights Barrister Joshua Creamer, SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle, Productivity Commissioner Selwyn Button and Aboriginal Hostel Limited CEO Shane Hamilton PSM, as well as a range of other national leaders from across the community, not-for-profit and government sectors.
 
The registration portal remains open for this important national event, and tickets are available at https://events.humanitix.com/housing-first-nations-2026-national-conference/tickets.

### ENDS ###

Media Contact:
Belinda Davis
[email protected]

About Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Queensland

Visit Website →

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Queensland (Housing Queensland) is the peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community housing providers in Queensland. Our purpose is to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing outcomes in Queensland. We believe that a strong community housing provider sector and long-term committed partnerships between government, private industry and our Members can significantly impact positive outcomes. Importantly, we are focused on matters that impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing, accommodation and homelessness in Queensland. Our solutions include advocacy; participation in strategy, policy and research; the provision of professional advice; and overall sector development.

Share This Release

PinLinkedIn