Page 481 - Week 02 - Thursday, 14 May 1992
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My intention has been that the SAAP review would be more, however, than just the departmental process of going through the steps in the manual. The review would be a joint Commonwealth-State exercise because SAAP itself is a joint Commonwealth-State exercise. It is my current proposal that we will expand the SAAP review to ask specific questions. I regard them as questions rather than terms of reference. I want to establish a steering committee to lock them in. I think that we need to look at whether Ainslie Village has operated in an efficient and effective manner; met its objectives as detailed in its memorandum of association; provided an appropriate level and type of service for potential and existing residents; adhered to the relevant principles of the SAAP program, such as user rights, which are a very important aspect of this and an aspect which is covered in the document I have tabled but which can be more finely looked at; and whether staff and residents have had ample opportunity to be involved in the decision making process. They are essentially the same issues as were going to be part of an independent consultancy.
The SAAP review process around the middle of this year, in my view, will be an appropriate opportunity for us to look at whether the public is being well served by the company. I must say that I have no reason to doubt that. I do not want to canvass the merits. It is appropriate that there be a SAAP review. There is agitation from a group of residents, and has been for some time. It is appropriate for us to broaden the SAAP review to allow any allegations that are to be made against Ainslie Village Ltd to be aired and, just as importantly, to give Ainslie Village Ltd an opportunity to refute any allegations of impropriety that have been made.
We are obviously keen to see Ainslie Village continue to serve its very important role. I think Ainslie Village is a very important part of Canberra society. It provides accommodation for people who may not easily fit into other modes of accommodation. There was a view, a view that I think Mr O'Dea was referring to in his letter, that Ainslie Village is too big and that we should go to a smaller unit, to ordinary Housing Trust style accommodation. I think there is a proper role for something of Ainslie Village size. I have certainly made it my business to go out to Ainslie Village, spend some time there, wander around, speak to people and have a good look at the place. I would urge any members who have not done that to do so. I am of the view that Ainslie Village is filling a very important need in Canberra society; that if it were not there we would have to reinvent Ainslie Village or something like it. I did not get from Mr Cornwell the view that the Liberal Party is opposed to the Ainslie Village concept.
In order to progress this expanded SAAP review, I propose that we establish something in the nature of a steering committee to ensure that there is acceptance that the review is impartial. I would be looking at a steering committee comprising a representative from the company, Ainslie Village Ltd, and a representative of the residents. I am told that the Independent Residents Association represents something like 100 of the residents, and I have no reason to doubt that. That may well be the appropriate body to pick the resident representative from. The Housing Trust has a role, obviously, as the principal funding body, the body that has the original lease and that has contributed the capital works for the project. The Commonwealth also has an important role
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