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The housing strategy will set out the strategic objectives for future years and outline clearly how our Government will assist the private sector in the effective provision of housing within the ACT. The strategy will be developed through consultation mechanisms that allow all those interested in strategic outcomes for housing provision and housing assistance to have their say. In view of the importance I place on this work, I have asked that work on the development of the strategy be progressed as a priority issue, with a view to seeing it being completed early in 1996. The housing strategy will also review the role that community and public housing can play in the provision of a range of housing services to meet the identified needs of ACT residents.

In the area of public housing, our Government believes that there are a number of initiatives that should be pursued in order to ensure that the funds expended on public housing achieve the best possible outcomes. I have therefore directed my department to undertake a number of reviews and to report to me on options for resolving some of the major issues which this Government believes require attention. In the first instance, I have asked ACT Housing to undertake a review of the waiting list for public housing. It is important that this waiting list contain people who are genuinely in need of housing and not those who have sought to be put on the list on the basis that they may need some other form of assistance or might be looking towards assistance in the future.

I have also directed that the Government's policy of allowing tenants to purchase their properties after occupying the property for a period of five years be introduced as soon as possible. Our Government believes that people should be supported in their efforts to achieve home ownership. A reduction in the period of occupation before tenants have the right to purchase will give a large number of tenants the opportunity to become home owners. I have also asked that consideration be given to ways in which tenants might be encouraged to take up home ownership and to ensure that the home lending policies of ACT Housing will support tenants purchasing their own home.

I have been concerned with the amount of money that is outstanding to the Government from its tenants, either through rent arrears or through damage or unpaid tenant maintenance. I have also directed ACT Housing that all new tenants with bank accounts which accommodate direct debit should use this method of payment. This will help ACT Housing to reduce the potential for rent arrears. This arrangement does not involve the tenant in any cost and provides to the tenant a convenient method for regular repayment. I have also directed that ACT Housing should put further effort into the collection of outstanding accounts, and I will shortly be making a further statement on specific measures that have been introduced to this end.

ACT Housing has undergone a major review over the recent year, and one of the major outcomes is a review of the current stock of public housing within the ACT. My Government believes that there is an opportunity to redevelop a significant portion of the existing housing stock to provide additional, more appropriate accommodation for

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