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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 12 Hansard (13 November) . . Page.. 4104 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

There will be ongoing negotiations with the federation and with affected and interested environment organisations, including the Conservation Council, with whom I have spoken already, to ensure that the event minimises the impact on Mount Majura in 1998. However, the benefit of taking on that risk to Mount Majura - a marginal risk, I might say, to Mount Majura - in 1998 is that the ACT gets to host the championships for the foreseeable future at a purpose-built facility at Kowen Forest. We believe that was a good balancing of those considerations.

MS HORODNY: I have a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. Is it the case that responsibility for determining the location for the mountain bike championships has been taken away from Environment ACT and given to the Bureau of Sport, Recreation and Racing? If so, that is a concern, because they do not have the same regard for environmental considerations.

MR HUMPHRIES: The answer is no.

MR CORBELL: My question is to the Minister for Housing. Minister, you would be aware that ACT Housing was roundly condemned by the ACT Ombudsman in the Ombudsman's report for 1996-97, their annual report, in relation to "inadequate record keeping practices". Minister, you would also be aware that the Canberra Times ran a story, titled "ACT Housing forced to waive tenants' debt: report", on Friday, 26 September this year. I quote from the article:

ACT Housing has been forced to waive debts it said were owed by tenants because it had been unable to substantiate them.

Minister, how much of this waived debt contributed to the remarkable level of reduction in rental arrears for 1996-97?

MR STEFANIAK: I think you will find, Mr Corbell, that, in terms of any debt that is waived, that is something that does not occur very often and is occurring less frequently. There are a number of points in the Ombudsman's report which Housing actually has taken up with the Ombudsman.

Mr Corbell: How much?

MR STEFANIAK: In terms of the exact amount that has actually been waived, Mr Corbell, I do not have that in front of me. I can tell you, though, that, where debt has been waived due to an error, it would be a very small sum indeed. It has happened on occasions. I am pleased to say that it is happening less frequently.

I have indicated in the past that there are a number of factual inconsistencies in the report, which Housing is taking up with the Ombudsman. In terms, however, of record-keeping practices - and I note the Ombudsman says that it is right across government - that is of concern to me. It would be of concern, I think, to any of my colleagues when that occurs.

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