Residents of a remote Indigenous community have launched legal action in the Federal Court against the NT government, alleging they’ve failed to provide safe public housing during extreme heat.
Papunya is located 250 kms north-west of Alice Springs and faces regular heatwaves over 40 degrees.
Represented by the Human Rights Law Centre, four Papunya residents are spearheading the case on behalf of the community – claiming decades of government neglect of public housing in remote communities, and worsening climate are impacting the community and their health.
This case is an Australian first, endeavouring to make sure a government landlord provides adequate housing for residents away from extreme heat, driven by climate crisis.
Image: Photo credit: Tash Khan – Human Rights Law Centre
Produced By: Emma Wotzke
Featured In Story: Jack McLean – Senior Lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre , and
First aired on The Wire, Thursday 23 April 2026