New ALT chair to drive home ownership

• Dr Robert Isaacs OAM is the new Aboriginal Lands Trust chair
• The ALT has responsibility for approximately 10% of WA's land mass

Dr Robert Isaacs OAM has been named the new chairperson of the Aboriginal Lands Trust (ALT).

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Peter Collier said Dr Isaacs' 40-year long commitment to Aboriginal affairs included a strong focus on land, housing and home ownership.

"As director of social lending in the Keystart program, Dr Isaacs has made a considerable headway in creating home ownership opportunities for Aboriginal people. 

"Over the past three years alone, 1,300 new Keystart loans were provided to Aboriginal families, which is a tremendous achievement," Mr Collier said.   

The ALT holds almost 10 per cent of the State's land and has more than 10,000 Aboriginal people as residents across the majority of the State's remote communities and reserves. 

"I have asked Dr Isaacs to focus on facilitating Aboriginal home ownership through land tenure reform on the ALT estate.

"Those who own, or are paying off a home have better outcomes in education, income and employment," Mr Collier said.

"I am confident Dr Isaacs will utilise his broad experience and widely held respect to advance the cause of Aboriginal people on this important board."

Fact File

• Dr Isaacs was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2000 and Centenary Medal of Honour in 2003 for service to Aboriginal affairs, education, health, housing, humanitarian and community services
• In 2015, he was named Western Australian of the Year, and received a NAIDOC Outstanding Achievement Award
• In 2012 he received an Honorary Doctorate from Canterbury University in England for service to Aboriginal Affairs and Education in Australia
• He is currently director for the Social Lending Scheme at Keystart WA
• He replaces former chair Shane Hamilton, who resigned to relocate interstate

Minister's office - 6552 6300