Page 141 - Week 02 - Thursday, 25 May 1989
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Thursday, 25 May 1989
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MR SPEAKER (Mr Prowse) took the chair at 10.30 am and read the prayer.
HOUSING POLICY REVIEW
Ministerial statement and papers
MRS GRASSBY (Minister for Housing and Urban Services), by leave: In the address to the first sitting of the Assembly, the Chief Minister promised to release terms of reference for an ACT housing policy review within two weeks. Important social, economic and other changes have occurred in Canberra and elsewhere in the past 10 years and have major implications for housing policies. There is a major restructuring of the economy, and high interest rates. As well, there have been important social changes, and a tendency for people to form households earlier in life. Indeed, the rate of household formations is greater than the rate of population growth. Also, Canberra's population is getting older.
At the same time home ownership is becoming more difficult, especially for the lower income people, and this is increasing the demand for public housing services. There is also growing public demand for social justice and equity in programs. The special needs of groups such as youth, the aged, Aboriginal people and people from non-English speaking backgrounds, disabled people and women should be recognised.
All these changes pose basic questions about the effectiveness of current housing policies. The ACT Government cannot control some of these broad issues, but we can do a lot to ensure our policies and programs are sensitive to this changing environment. This will enable us as a community to adapt and benefit from the opportunities offered by the changes.
The ACT Government has decided that a wide-ranging review of ACT housing policies is needed as a key step. In keeping with the Government's commitments, the review will be conducted in an open manner to allow the community to participate fully. The review will provide advice to the Government on strategies, policies and mechanisms covering private sector and public housing, industry and the Government's role. In doing so, the review will take account of the ACT Government's commitments to social justice.
Another important concern is responsible fiscal management. Above all, the review will be about real results. It will
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