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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 7 Hansard (1 July) . . Page.. 2042 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

There are safeguards in the reforms. In regard to tenure, for instance, tenants will be assessed as no longer requiring assistance only when their incomes exceed the entry level income barrier by 10 per cent over a period of some 18 months. That is reasonable. People most in need will enter public housing. That is right; that is appropriate. We do that through the list or through priority access. But once tenants are well able to survive on their own in the private market, it is essential that these houses be freed up for those still waiting on the list. Under provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, tenants who are asked to relocate to private housing will be provided with 26 weeks' notice, so there are further safeguards there.

People with disabilities will not be asked to move to the private market, where housing would not meet their needs, even if they do not meet the relevant income and assets tests. There are further safeguards there. Tenants may have the termination of their lease reviewed by the Housing Review Committee and may appeal to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal. There are more safeguards there. Where tenants are relocated to smaller accommodation at the request of ACT Housing, they will not be offered a property which would result in overcrowding. Consideration will be given to their preferences in relation to region and stock type, and ACT Housing will pay for the costs associated with reconnection of utilities and furniture removal so that we can take the house that they are in, which is perhaps being underutilised, and make sure that it is appropriately utilised by a family in need. New tenure arrangements will not impact on existing tenants in most cases.

These reforms are reasonable reforms in comparison to the other States when you look at the tenure that is offered. In some States and Territories, the initial sign-up contract is for as little as six months. We are saying that we understand people's needs and that the initial sign-up contract will be for three years. For those who for the rest of their lives will be on a Centrelink pension, an age pension or a disability pension, that will be extended to five years.

This is about using the assets that belong to the people of the ACT in the best manner to cope with those still on the waiting list. We have all heard the stories of well-paid public servants with Commonwealth cars and access to ACT Housing. You have to ask yourself: Is it appropriate that somebody on a very high income, an income much higher than average weekly earnings, and provided with a government vehicle should have access to public housing? Is their presence there denying somebody more in need? These reforms are important to make sure that we are best able to target the assistance that we offer to those in need.

We have changed some of the eligibility criteria. For the first time in 10 years, the increase in the asset limit, from $20,000 to $40,000, will in particular assist many older people, for whom $40,000 may well be the possessions they have accumulated over a life. A car and some furniture will easily account for $40,000. The $20,000 limit is definitely out of date and it is appropriate that we lift that limit.

People with disabilities who may not meet the new eligibility requirement but for whom private housing is not a viable option will continue to be accommodated in public housing.

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