Page 3058 - Week 09 - Thursday, 13 October 2022
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Mr Hanson: Madam Speaker, on a matter of relevance.
MADAM SPEAKER: Resume your seat, Minister.
Mr Hanson: The member’s question was pretty simple. It was: why is it increasing in the ACT? We have heard a lot of waffle, but we have not actually heard an answer yet.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, there is no point of order. She is saying that she is working with the community sector to understand it. That, I think, is answering the question.
Mr Hanson: So she doesn’t know? Is that the answer?
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, no more, please.
MS VASSAROTTI: We actually know that COVID-19 has placed additional pressure on the ACT community, and it is one of the drivers—
Opposition members interjecting—
MS VASSAROTTI: I am trying to answer the question. It is a complex question, and it is one to which we do not have all of the answers. We are working with the sector to try and understand what is going on, particularly given that we have been providing additional investment and additional services.
I am sorry that this wicked problem does not have easy answers. If we had easy answers, we would be solving it. I know that every single person in this chamber wants to eliminate homelessness in the ACT.
MR PARTON: Minister, to what extent do residential tenancy changes and high property taxes feed into housing being unaffordable for low income earners, which leads to homelessness? What impact is that perhaps having on the problem?
MS VASSAROTTI: Thank you, Mr Parton, for the question. The issue of housing stress in the ACT and across Australia is a complex one for which there is a range of drivers. In terms of some of the work that is happening around residential tenancy changes, which is being led by my ministerial colleague Mr Rattenbury, it is looking at how we can protect tenants’ rights and support tenants to be able to live in a safe and secure home. That is the aim of these proposed changes.
There is a lot said about the issue of land tax in the ACT. We continue to say to landlords, particularly socially minded landlords who are concerned about the issue of homelessness and housing affordability, that there is a program right now and, if you access that program, you would not have to pay any land tax, if you were prepared to provide your house for affordable housing. So there are ways to minimise some of these costs to landlords, if they are interested in taking those up. We would encourage people to do so.
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