The class action alleges that the Northern Territory’s CEO (Housing) failed to provide safe, habitable and secure public homes to Aboriginal tenants in 73 remote communities, while charging rent.

The case was brought by Mr Dann, who passed away earlier this year. The Court has approved his son, Eddie Phillips, to continue the claim on his behalf.

“Dad always said the house is not just a house,” he said. “It’s a living, breathing thing: me, you and everyone else in it. Take care of the house and the house will look after you.”

Mr Dann was frustrated by the inadequate repairs and long wait times for urgent work.

“He wanted better housing and he wanted better jobs,” Eddie said. “He wanted to create jobs for the people and the community. All he wanted was to give it back to the people.”

Eddie hopes the case will resonate with remote communities across Australia.

“This court case makes people stand up, look, and think twice about what’s happening. People will hear Dad’s story and it will spread to other communities, because they’ve seen the same thing happening there.”

About the case

The class action was filed on 16 December 2022 by Phi Finney McDonald and Redgum Legal & Consulting. It is brought on behalf of Aboriginal people who lived in public housing in any of 73 remote NT communities between 18 August 2007 and 16 December 2022.

The initial trial will hear allegations of breach of contract and unlawful rent increases for some tenants. The applicants seek repayment of rent, damages, and orders for repairs and ongoing maintenance. The litigation is funded by CASL.

Trial schedule