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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 4 Hansard (2 April) . . Page.. 1265 ..

MR PRATT (continuing):

fair period of time since those blocks were developed, and they are now showing their age. In some places I would think living is a little bit tough. I would prefer not to see such heavy concentrations of those types of community housing blocks but perhaps smaller numbers of houses mixed with private housing estates.

Mr Wood: It is standard practice.

MR PRATT: Let us hope that that practice is ratcheted up to the next level. That is what I would like to see happening in Tuggeranong. I also hope that the government will continue the follow-up, feedback and communication with residents. Doorknocking through Kambah, you get lots of questions and lots of feedback about the issues that people have. I have gained the impression over the last 18 months or so that government departments are pretty much on top of what needs to be done, but vigilance is required and sometimes you come across people who say, "I have a leaky roof. I have had it for about five or six weeks. Mr Pratt, what is going to happen next?"

It is important that the government ensure that they get residents together from time to time to seek their input into housing estate issues. While I support the motion, I am not standing here to celebrate magnificent achievements. There have been some good achievements over a few years. We must remain vigilant, and I trust the government will keep the pressure on. It will be very interesting to see how things go.

MS TUCKER (4.36): Housing is perhaps the most important indicator of the support government offers those in need, and public housing policy thus demonstrates the values that inform the government's approach.

The provision of adequate, stable and affordable housing is recognised as one of the central elements to mitigating poverty among people on low incomes. The provision of public housing provides a key platform from which people experiencing disadvantage or low incomes can address other life concerns such as health, education and training, as well as seeking, obtaining and maintaining employment. They are very familiar words to many people in this place, I am sure, because I have been saying them for many years. We said them in the report of the Select Committee on the Role of Public Housing, of which Mr Wood was a member.

Mr Hargreaves' motion commends the government for taking steps to address housing need in Tuggeranong. It is good to see housing in Tuggeranong. I know that there has been a lot of unmet need there, but we cannot get away from the fact that there is a housing crisis right across Canberra. Public housing and community housing are complementary parts of an overall strategy for ensuring access for all to appropriate, affordable, secure housing. Preventing homelessness requires improving coordination of housing and community services and increased public and community housing stocks. Community housing can develop innovative ways to include community and personal empowerment.

In commenting on last year's budget, I was pleased to note the government's statements about access to safe, affordable housing being a right of everyone in the community and about the importance of developing sustainable tenancies. I assume this means this recognises the need in the public and social housing sector to engage with tenants as

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