Page 3111 - Week 08 - Thursday, 7 August 2008
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The government indicated to us in private briefings that they see more risk in the affordable housing sector because it is an area that involves property development and all the attendant risks around speculation in land and cost control of construction prices. For that reason, we believe that Dr Foskey is correct in confining the more stringent scrutiny arrangements in the affordable housing sector. New South Wales and Victoria are increasing the community sector involvement. We believe that this is the right direction. I would be concerned if the ACT government became too heavy-handed and spooked some of the providers. If the government’s obligations get too burdensome, providers may walk and potential entrants like multipurpose charities may be deterred. For those reasons we will be supporting Dr Foskey’s amendment.
MR HARGREAVES (Brindabella—Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Minister for Housing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (6:54): The government will not be supporting this amendment. The amendment would limit the scope of monitoring guidelines for community housing providers to compliance with their constitutions and compliance with standards. The commissioner may wish to monitor adherence to business plans or risk management strategies as part of the monitoring process; Dr Foskey’s proposed amendment would prevent that.
Dr Foskey might like to know that it is the government’s intention to develop separate and tailored monitoring guidelines for the two different tiers—affordable and community housing providers—which will ensure that the guidelines are appropriate for the activities being undertaken by providers in each tier.
Amendment negatived.
MR SESELJA (Molonglo—Leader of the Opposition) (6.55): I move amendment No 2 circulated in my name [see schedule 3 at page 3115].
This amendment would amend 25N (2), which specifies what a provider must include in an annual report to the commissioner, to clarify that only the audited financial statements are required—not all accounts—and to clarify that disclosable contracts are limited to those involving housing arrangements with the ACT government.
ACT housing providers have sought an amendment along these lines as prepared by ACTCOSS and Softlaw Community Projects. The change clarifies that the financial statements sought are the provider’s audited financial statements, not a copy of all financial statements and accounts held by the provider. Similarly, this clarifies that contractual maters to be reported to the commissioner mean those related to housing arrangements with the ACT government—for example, contracts relating to services provided to the commissioner. It would be intrusive for the annual disclosure to require details of any contract to which the provider is a party. I commend the amendment to the Assembly.
DR FOSKEY (Molonglo) (6.56): This amendment makes two small changes which seem to me to be very sensible and reflect comments made by community housing providers. I am not sure if we are addressing intent here, or simply issues of drafting. It seems reasonable to me for the commissioner to require the provision of audited accounts, but requiring more general access to any accounts and financial statements
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