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present and future tenants. Much of our stock is old and does not meet the needs of our clients. A stock management plan is being developed, and it is my expectation that this plan will identify for the Government opportunities for redevelopment, both by way of single residential units and also for larger combined areas, such as the housing stock along Northbourne Avenue. This will provide opportunities for joint private and public sector ventures. If redevelopment occurs, tenants will have the advantage of better quality accommodation.

These initiatives are being undertaken on the basis that this Government, unlike the previous Government, regards the housing stock as an asset of the Territory as a whole, and that those members of the community who occupy public housing have a responsibility to the community and to the Government to meet their commitments arising from the occupation of that property. All too often tenants have regarded their occupation of public housing as a right without any responsibilities being attached. Tenants may well have come to that conclusion, having regard to the attitude taken by a series of Labor governments in their administration of the ACT. I can assure you that that is not the approach of this Government. Our attitude is to be fair and firm with our tenants.

The Government willingly accepts that it must meet its obligations as landlord; but it also expects tenants to be responsible for meeting all their obligations under the tenancy agreement. It is not acceptable for tenants to continue to occupy public housing and refuse or neglect to pay their rent. It is also unacceptable for tenants to damage public housing or to act in a way that causes a nuisance to their neighbours. I expect that the relationship between government and its public tenants is that of a partnership and that, by clearly delineating the rights and responsibilities of both parties, tenants will develop a pride in their properties, to the overall benefit of tenants and the community as a whole.

In my role as Minister I am committed to seeing the negotiation of a new Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement for the benefit of the ACT; a strong housing industry in the ACT that can plan and progress, based on a clear strategic view of the Government; a new relationship between the Government and its public tenants which supports opportunities for home ownership; and a commitment by both the Government, as landlord, and the tenant to the continued maintenance of the public housing asset in the ACT, an asset that is worth some $1.4 billion. I table a copy of this statement, and I move:

That the Assembly takes note of the paper.

Debate (on motion by Ms McRae) adjourned.

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