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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 4 Hansard (28 March) . . Page.. 947 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

So far it seems as though the Government has maintained the waiting list at about the level in 1990, roughly when self-government began. There has been no huge blowout on our part and no huge change. But we have to look at what happened between 1990 and 1995. There is only one word to describe what happened to the housing waiting list under Labor, under the alternative government, under those who claim to care. What is that word? It is a "disaster". It was an absolute disaster.

By 1993 the waiting list was up to 10,592. It had more than tripled what the ACT had inherited at self-government. Under whom? Under the Labor Party. By 1994 they had managed to cut that list to 8,822. But a year later, where was it? It was back to 9,013. All of this was under Labor. Who presided over those figures? Who saw the list rise to 10,000? Who did nothing to bring it down? The Labor Party.

But what has happened since then? We have said that you can manage better and you can deliver on your promises to the people of the ACT to have sound financial management, but at the same time you can achieve your social outcomes. As I have already said, we have been able to do that. By 1996, we had the list down to 4,000 and, as I have said, it is under 3,000 as we speak.

What has happened that has enabled us to achieve that? What are we doing? We are doing all the things that those opposite criticise us for. We are looking at places like Macpherson Court and saying they are no longer acceptable and they should be closed. We are saying that places like Lachlan Court no longer meet the appropriate needs of the tenants and they should be closed. We are saying that the money we have made from Lachlan Court can be then put into other spots like Burnie Court to further provide better housing for the housing tenants of the ACT. At the same time, with proper management, we can reduce the waiting list as well. The auction of Lachlan Court put some $6.63m back into the housing capital program. We will spend that money on refurbishing and renewing parts of Burnie Court.

Mr Speaker, this Government is not just about achieving economic goals, although we are proud of the way in which we do that. This Government is also about making sure that as you achieve those goals you do not forget those most in need. This Government can do that, unlike those opposite, who allowed the waiting lists to blow out to such a terrible extent.

MR HIRD: I ask a supplementary question. I thank the Minister for his very precise answer. While those overall figures are quite encouraging, Minister, how is the Government responding to the needs in particular segments of the community? Canberra youth particularly come to mind.

MR SMYTH: As members would know, the residential market is very tight at the moment. Clearly those who suffer the most when that occurs are those with the least resources. Over the last couple of years this Government has put significant effort into looking after older Canberrans. Our aged persons accommodation program will deliver appropriate accommodation at appropriate locations to look after those in need.

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