Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced the formation of a National Policy Commission to help provide more housing in remote Indigenous communities.

“In my National Apology speech I committed the Government to the creation of a forum to develop solutions to the problem of overcrowding, health problems, violence and abuse that flow from inadequate housing in remote Indigenous communities,” Mr Rudd says.

“The establishment of a National Policy Commission aims to meet that commitment.”

The Commission will report to Mr Rudd and Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin, and will meet at least four times a year, with the first meeting scheduled to occur before the end of June 2008.

Those invited to take up positions on the Commission are include Danny Gilbert, Paul Pholeros, Leah Armstrong, Joe Ross, Tania Major, Warren Mundine and Dale Alcock.

“I have confidence this group will provide sound advice to the Government on new approaches to addressing remote Indigenous housing,” Mr Rudd says.

“My great hope that this Commission might be bipartisan and include the Leader of the Opposition has not been realised.

“I have decided that this matter is too urgent to delay for the sake of an agreement that might never be reached.”