19-21 OCTOBER 2026
BRISBANE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE
Presented by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Queensland
Key issues and developments for the future of First Nations housing in Australia
The Housing First Nations National Conference 2026 is taking place in Brisbane from 19 to 21 October 2026!
Join us at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (Promenade Level, Grey Street Entrance) for two days of learning, networking, and engaging with leaders from across the Australian housing sector. Have your say on key issues, learn about the latest developments in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing, and get inspired for the future!
Listen to information sessions and participate in workshops on topics of critical importance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing.
- Hear from leaders in the Australian and community housing sector about innovations and transformations
- Engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing leaders and learn about urban, regional, and remote housing issues
- Participate in the Indigenous Innovation Think Tank
- Make new connections and catch up with colleagues
- Discover businesses and suppliers at our Tradeshow
- Have a chance to win prizes
- Take the time to explore Brisbane.
Meet Our Keynote Speakers
Senator Malarndirri McCathy
MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS
Senator Malarndirri McCarthy is a Yanyuwa Garrwa woman from the Gulf country in the Northern Territory. She has served as a Federal Labor Senator for the Northern Territory (including Christmas and Cocos Keeling Islands) since August 2016, and was appointed to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Cabinet as the Minister for Indigenous Australians in July 2024.
Before entering federal politics, Senator McCarthy spent over 15 years as an accomplished journalist, newsreader, and presenter with the ABC and SBS/NITV. She first entered public office in 2005, when she was elected to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly as the Member for Arnhem. During her seven years in the Assembly, she held several vital ministerial portfolios, including Local Government, Regional Development, Indigenous Development, Tourism, Women’s Policy, and Statehood.
Following her election to the Australian Senate, she served as the Opposition Deputy Whip (2019–2022) and later as the Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health and Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians (2022–2024), building a foundational legacy of advocacy before stepping into her current Cabinet role.
Senator McCarthy’s extensive background brings unique perspectives to federal parliament, rooted in a deep familiarity with the distinct challenges and opportunities facing Territorians. Armed with the perseverance and determination to drive structural change, her core focus remains bringing communities together and ensuring remote regional voices are actively engaged with and listened to on a national level.
Joshua Creamer
BARRISTER
Joshua Creamer is a Waanyi and Kalkadoon man from Queensland with nearly two decades of experience as a barrister. He specialises in large, complex matters involving First Nations Peoples. His legal practice focuses on human rights, class actions, and native title litigation.
He is a former Chair of the Queensland Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry, a former Commissioner in the Queensland Law Reform Commission; serves as Chair of the Bar Association of Queensland Indigenous Affairs Committee and Chair of the Griffith University Elders and First Peoples Knowledge Holders Advisory Board; and is a member of the Griffith University Council.
Joshua has appeared in several landmark class actions—he succeeded in a case related to a 2004 death in custody on Palm Island, secured a $190 million stolen wages settlement in Queensland in 2019—and handled similar cases in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
Recognised for his work in native title, Joshua is ranked in Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific and Doyle’s Guide. He was named National Indigenous Legal Professional of the Year and is a past President of the Indigenous Lawyers Association of Queensland. He holds a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from Griffith University.
Selwyn Button
COMMISSIONER, PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION
Selwyn Button is a Gungarri man from Southwest Queensland and an experienced leader of health, education, and governance organisations across the public, private, not-for-profit, and community-controlled sectors.
He has built a diverse career dedicated to national policy, service delivery, governance, and legislative reforms. In June 2024, Selwyn was appointed as a full-time Commissioner at the Productivity Commission. Prior to this role, he was a partner at PwC Indigenous Consulting (PIC), where he collaborated with a range of organisations to realise the commercial and community potential of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, projects, and initiatives.
His extensive leadership history includes serving as the national Registrar of the Office of the Registrar for Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) and the Assistant Director-General for Indigenous Education in Queensland. He is also the former Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) and a former Chair of the Lowitja Institute.
A former primary school teacher and Queensland police officer, Selwyn holds a Bachelor of Teaching, a Master of Public Administration, and a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration. Notably, he was a Wolfensohn Scholar at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and remains an active member of the Harvard Club of Australia.
Shane Hamilton PSM
CEO, ABORIGINAL HOSTELS LIMITED (AHL)
Shane Hamilton is a Wakka Wakka and Bundjalung man from Queensland with extensive executive experience across the housing, corrections, and professional services sectors.
His diverse career spans leadership roles across government, non-government, and corporate enterprises, where he has consistently driven positive community outcomes.
He serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Aboriginal Hostels Limited (AHL). Prior to joining AHL, Shane was the Deputy Secretary of Aboriginal Affairs at the Premier’s Department of New South Wales (NSW) Government. In this role, he led numerous large-scale transformation projects with a clear connection to cultural integrity and strategic reform.
Shane’s earlier leadership experience includes serving as a Director at PwC Indigenous Consulting and as the Chief Executive Officer of the NSW Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO). While at the AHO, Shane led organisational transformation and successfully re-established the office as a place of innovation and commitment through supporting Aboriginal communities and businesses.
Shane is a purpose-driven leader with strong commercial acumen and an entrepreneurial approach underpinned by systemic leadership. In 2024, his service to Aboriginal communities in NSW was officially recognised with a Meritorious Award in the King’s Birthday Honours List.