Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 4 Hansard (3 April) . . Page.. 1371 ..

increase be based on demand;

a diverse range of housing be offered;

a review of existing eligibility criteria for social housing;

greater flexibility in the construction of new stock-for example, project homes. I do not know why we have not looked at this matter sooner. There are some really good examples of project homes that would probably help to alleviate this issue;

expansion of the community housing sector;

that the annual land release program should identify sites for allocation to affordable housing providers;

government provision of interest-free finance for non-government affordable housing providers for construction of affordable housing;

adjustment of current property thresholds for stamp duty concessions for home buyers;

raising public awareness-and this is probably one of the very key areas, and indeed the report says it is of critical importance-of the housing system and affordable housing within the overall economic, social and environmental outcomes for the community; and

the release of a government housing statement each year in conjunction with the release of the annual report-and that makes sense to me.

The report is very supportive of a "whole of community approach", which really is the only way forward. I am very supportive of this approach and I hope that the government will take on board that we can all be involved. There is no quick fix to this ever increasing and perplexing issue. However, we can make progress if we are united in our approach.

As I said, I look forward to the government accepting a whole of government, whole of community, approach to reach some long lasting and sustainable solutions. I further look forward to the government showing some long overdue leadership and making some hard decisions in order to begin to alleviate the situation of those adversely affected by housing affordability.

MS TUCKER (4.15): I move the following amendment that has been circulated in my name:

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .