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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 8 Hansard (26 August) . . Page.. 2452 ..

Public Housing

MR SPEAKER: I call Mr Hird.

Members interjected.

MR HIRD: Mr Speaker, when the natives settle themselves down, I have a question of the Minister for Housing, Mr Stefaniak. Has the Minister's attention been drawn to statements by the shadow spokesperson on housing, that is, from the Opposition, that ACT Housing has sold its housing stock at a loss of $3.5m; that $10.4m of Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement moneys has been handed back to the Commonwealth; that another $5.4m will be handed back this financial year; that $5m has been paid to commercial banks through the Kick Start home purchase scheme; that ACT Housing has also, it is alleged, underspent by $7m on maintenance programs; and that waiting lists are over 4,000, with waiting periods in my electorate for one- and two-bedroom flats in Belconnen increasing to five years and 41/2 years, respectively? What is the Minister's response to these very concerning statements?

MR STEFANIAK: I thank the member for the question. You are right, Mr Hird; some of them are very concerning. I must say, at the start, that these figures have been bandied about for some time; and I have indicated on a number of occasions already what the correct figures are. Ms Reilly, however, persists in distorting the facts in this matter. By making such misleading statements I think she causes unnecessary angst to a number of our tenants in government housing.

Mr Kaine: And she brings herself into discredit.

MR STEFANIAK: She does bring herself into discredit, too, Mr Kaine. This is not appropriate conduct from a member of this place. She has been briefed on the facts on a number of occasions, Mr Speaker.

Mr Berry: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I think I heard Mr Stefaniak say that Ms Reilly makes misleading statements. I think that is a clear imputation - - -

MR SPEAKER: There was so much noise that I do not know what Mr Stefaniak said. I am sure that if he did say that he would withdraw it.

Mr Berry: I think he did, and he will withdraw it.

MR STEFANIAK: I said "very incorrect statements". If Mr Berry is offended by that, I would say "very, very incorrect statements", which have been pointed out - - -

Mr Kaine: You used the word "distortion", Bill.

MR STEFANIAK: Absolutely. They have been pointed out to her on a number of occasions. Mr Hird, the facts are as follows: Firstly, in relation to the amazing statement that she has made that Housing has sold its housing stock at a loss of $3.5m, it certainly is true that ACT Housing has sold dwellings in the past year. We do so every year.

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