Page 382 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 10 February 2021
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reported that the complex has become littered with blood, used syringes, squatters and threatening graffiti over the past year. Residents have also documented almost daily instances of verbal abuse and physical violence. Minister, will you direct Housing ACT resources to immediately address the situation at Condamine Court for the safety of all its tenants?
MS VASSAROTTI: Thank you, Mr Parton, for the question. Managing antisocial and illegal activity across the ACT is a process that occurs across the community. It is not only a public housing issue, but we are aware of some challenges in some public housing complexes. I am aware of an alleged assault that happened on the grounds of a Housing ACT complex recently.
Unfortunately, I am unable to make comments on the individual circumstances. What I can say is that incidents such as this fall within the jurisdiction of ACT Policing, and in cases where there is an issue of safety to a public housing tenant and they are at risk, Housing ACT will take appropriate action.
Mr Hanson: Madam Speaker, a point of order on relevance, my understanding of Mr Parton’s question is that he was asking specifically whether additional resources would be allocated to Condamine Court. I ask the minister to be directly relevant to that issue.
MADAM SPEAKER: There is no point of order. The question also included conditions in housing services, and the minister is on the policy area. You have time left, Ms Vassarotti.
MS VASSAROTTI: I was just getting to the question in relation to specific work that is happening by Housing ACT. There is a program called the Connecting Communities strategy, which was a pilot project through 2019 and 2020 and is now operating across complexes in the ACT, including the complex that was identified by Mr Parton.
This strategy aims to reduce theft and antisocial behaviour and complaints, creating a sense of community across tenant engagement and participation and ensuring that tenants and local community members have access to support and development in their neighbourhood. We can also confirm that the tenancy manager is regularly on site. (Time expired).
MR PARTON: Minister, even given your short time in the role, how has the government allowed the situation at Condamine Court to deteriorate so badly, especially given the Greens’ rhetoric on providing quality—quality—public housing?
MS VASSAROTTI: As I was noting, in terms of the Connecting Communities strategy, it has been operating since 2019 and as an ongoing program since 2020. COVID-19 created some challenges, particularly around being on site, so there were some elements of the project that were reduced, but they are now operating.
Housing ACT is also working really closely on monitoring maintenance around the complex, particularly with program facilities management. We encourage tenants to
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