Page 1142 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 28 March 2017
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housing and homelessness ministers have been calling for funding reform in the area of housing and homelessness for some time. Particularly in relation to affordable home ownership, there are many ideas and opportunities for government, community and business to partner and invest to deliver real housing outcomes.
The ACT welcomes the recent update from the commonwealth-led affordable housing working group which, I remind the Assembly, following a resolution in this place, the ACT government submitted to join a full year ago. The ACT government has engaged in conversations with other jurisdictions, particularly through the working group, on how we can work together towards improving housing affordability.
The ACT government recognises that housing is a fundamental human need and that it is a national issue. Therefore, it demands a national response. This national response needs to clearly articulate the common challenges facing all jurisdictions, including the ACT, identify the programs and strategies that are already working in different jurisdictions and, importantly, understand those factors that distinguish jurisdictions and may require the development of ideas such as those the federal Treasurer has been speaking about recently.
I know that the Chief Minister put our position to his treasurer colleagues last week and the ACT government continues to seek national leadership from the commonwealth on this issue.
Access Canberra—rental bonds
MS LEE: My question is to the Minister for Regulatory Services. Minister, several constituents have complained about excessive delays on the part of the office of rental bonds through Access Canberra in the return of rental bonds. There are many Canberrans who have been waiting for their bonds since before Christmas. What is the regulated time period for release of a bond? What is the current delay?
MR RAMSAY: I thank the member for her question. I will take the details on notice and get the precise details and I will get back to her.
MS LEE: Minister, are any delays beyond the time period regulated acceptable, given that the delay in release of rental bonds disproportionately affects young and disadvantaged Canberrans who rely on access to these funds for help with their day-to-day costs of living?
MR RAMSAY: I thank the member for her supplementary. Obviously, moving through in the return of rental bonds is a matter of importance. In terms of the premise of the question regarding what is beyond acceptable, I will take that on notice and get back to you.
MS LE COUTEUR: Minister, does the system have any problems when there is a joint tenancy but only one set of bank account details is given for the return? It has been reported to me that this is the case.
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