Page 142 - Week 02 - Thursday, 25 May 1989
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recognise other initiatives already commenced and co-ordinate them, but it must not delay them. It should not rely solely on formal inquiry processes, but also broaden the process through seminars and informal discussions.
The review will consider the Federal Government's own review of housing policy and any changes to the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement and other programs such as the first home owners scheme. There is a range of work under way in the Administration which will have an impact on housing policy. The terms of reference are in the broadest terms to cover all relevant issues.
Without restricting the scope, there are some issues I expect will arise. For example, on home ownership I expect the review will examine the impact of financial deregulation, new housing financial instruments, such as shared equity, rental purchase, reverse equity mortgages and capital indexed loans. The Commissioner for Housing loan scheme is an important scheme for low and moderate income people, and I would expect advice on its improved operation and better targeting. Measures to ensure that land supply is adequate and timely will be another important issue.
In the private rental market, income support measures for low to moderate income tenants are relevant, and I shall expect to see recommendations to ensure assistance is well targeted, along with measures to ensure an adequate supply of such accommodation. The review will consider the place of private rental housing trusts in the Canberra rental market. Tenancy law reform is another important issue for the review.
An effective public housing sector is a key part of the Government's programs. I would expect the review to identify measures to improve the programs and services of the ACT Housing Trust and advise on measures to achieve more effective targeting of services. Moreover, it would recommend measures to promote increased involvement by tenants and some responsibility in management.
The Government cannot do all of this on its own, and attention will be given to measures for greater cooperation between the public, private and community sectors through joint ventures, cooperatives and community tenancy schemes. The review should also consider the importance of effective links between housing programs and other support programs.
In framing the terms of reference for this review we have consulted a wide range of interest groups and these talks will continue during the review. This will give the Government and the public a much better picture of the overall ACT housing situation and provide a program for needed reforms. I present the following papers:
Housing Policy Review -
Ministerial statement, 25 May 1989
Terms of reference.
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