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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 3 Hansard (24 March) . . Page.. 797 ..
MR QUINLAN (continuing):
This could well be another exercise where this Government flogs off assets today to balance its budget, with absolutely no regard for the long-term future. But has this Government or this Minister thought to carry out a fundamental analysis of the net impact of the decision? No. They are thinking only of the immediate dollar and ignoring the future consequences, consequences that will be carried by the people of the park.
When officials met with the residents, there was no suggestion of protection of any sort. A decision had already been taken when officials were sent out to meet the residents of the park. What protection do residents have against early lease termination? Zip. What protection do they have against inordinate increases in charges? Zip. What protection do they have against lack of care or maintenance of the park? Zip. I hear some very delayed noises from the Minister, maybe to mollify the residents who have stood up for themselves.
The residents have been assured that there have been no offers on this property; that there have been no expressions of interest in this property. Unfortunately, I have to say they do not appear convinced to me. But if we have the Government's word through their officials, then we take that as such, at least until we hear otherwise. The designation of the lease is a long-stay caravan park or mobile home park, and the owner would need a change of lease purpose clause to change it. We all know that that happens on a regular basis.
I have had some discussions with Mr Rugendyke, who quite rightly pointed out that a change of lease purpose would have to go to the Urban Services Committee and that he, as part of that committee, would look seriously at that particular proposal. However, that is still cold comfort. If I owned the joint, I do not think it would be a real problem to make it an unpleasant place to live and to change its nature. If my intention was - - -
Mr Humphries: I think you could too, Ted.
Ms Carnell: I think you probably could without trying.
MR QUINLAN: Exactly. There are more monsters like me out there, let me tell you.
Ms Carnell: We will sell it to somebody nice.
MR QUINLAN: I bet! Somebody with money - that is what makes them nice. Residents of this park have made a real investment. They have invested in their properties there. It is not just the money, a substantial amount of money, particularly from the perspective of the people we are talking about; they have also invested in the sense of community that they have built there. It is quite a pleasant place to be. Quite a number of the residents say, "We do not want to live in the public housing that you provide, even though we qualify for it".
I would like to know whether the Minister is aware of the cost to any resident who is forced to leave or relocate or who finds it necessary to leave. I have heard quotations that range from $3,500 to $10,000. This is a unique situation where people have built
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