A WA parliamentary question addresses affordable housing for police and emergency workers, particularly in regional areas, and explores potential incentives like discounted rent. The Minister's response outlines existing support and ongoing considerations within enterprise bargaining.

AnsweredQoN 295Legislative Council
Asked
13 April 2011
Portfolio
Police

QuestionView source ↗

GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES — AFFORDABLE HOUSING
I refer to a recent Bankwest survey that found that police, emergency service workers and nurses struggle to find affordable housing both in the metropolitan area and many regional centres. (1) Within the framework of the forthcoming enterprise bargaining agreement, are any measures being considered to address this issue? (2) Does this not act as a disincentive in recruiting and retaining police officers and emergency service workers? (3) Are incentives of substantially discounted or free rent in the regions, such as those set out in the discarded National Party election promises, an option to ensure that these key workers are available where needed? Hon PETER COLLIER

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Salary and conditions are an integral component of enterprise bargaining agreement discussions. (2) Western Australia Police has seen no evidence that suggests the ability to find affordable housing is a disincentive in recruiting or retaining police officers. (3) WA Police provides rent-free accommodation to all officers in charge of regional police stations. A further 59 locations across regional Western Australia enjoy rent-free or subsidised accommodation.
(1) Within the framework of the forthcoming enterprise bargaining agreement, are any measures being considered to address this issue? (2) Does this not act as a disincentive in recruiting and retaining police officers and emergency service workers? (3) Are incentives of substantially discounted or free rent in the regions, such as those set out in the discarded National Party election promises, an option to ensure that these key workers are available where needed? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Salary and conditions are an integral component of enterprise bargaining agreement discussions. (2) Western Australia Police has seen no evidence that suggests the ability to find affordable housing is a disincentive in recruiting or retaining police officers. (3) WA Police provides rent-free accommodation to all officers in charge of regional police stations. A further 59 locations across regional Western Australia enjoy rent-free or subsidised accommodation.
(2) Does this not act as a disincentive in recruiting and retaining police officers and emergency service workers? (3) Are incentives of substantially discounted or free rent in the regions, such as those set out in the discarded National Party election promises, an option to ensure that these key workers are available where needed? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Salary and conditions are an integral component of enterprise bargaining agreement discussions. (2) Western Australia Police has seen no evidence that suggests the ability to find affordable housing is a disincentive in recruiting or retaining police officers. (3) WA Police provides rent-free accommodation to all officers in charge of regional police stations. A further 59 locations across regional Western Australia enjoy rent-free or subsidised accommodation.
(3) Are incentives of substantially discounted or free rent in the regions, such as those set out in the discarded National Party election promises, an option to ensure that these key workers are available where needed? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Salary and conditions are an integral component of enterprise bargaining agreement discussions. (2) Western Australia Police has seen no evidence that suggests the ability to find affordable housing is a disincentive in recruiting or retaining police officers. (3) WA Police provides rent-free accommodation to all officers in charge of regional police stations. A further 59 locations across regional Western Australia enjoy rent-free or subsidised accommodation.
Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Salary and conditions are an integral component of enterprise bargaining agreement discussions. (2) Western Australia Police has seen no evidence that suggests the ability to find affordable housing is a disincentive in recruiting or retaining police officers. (3) WA Police provides rent-free accommodation to all officers in charge of regional police stations. A further 59 locations across regional Western Australia enjoy rent-free or subsidised accommodation.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Salary and conditions are an integral component of enterprise bargaining agreement discussions. (2) Western Australia Police has seen no evidence that suggests the ability to find affordable housing is a disincentive in recruiting or retaining police officers. (3) WA Police provides rent-free accommodation to all officers in charge of regional police stations. A further 59 locations across regional Western Australia enjoy rent-free or subsidised accommodation.
(1) Salary and conditions are an integral component of enterprise bargaining agreement discussions. (2) Western Australia Police has seen no evidence that suggests the ability to find affordable housing is a disincentive in recruiting or retaining police officers. (3) WA Police provides rent-free accommodation to all officers in charge of regional police stations. A further 59 locations across regional Western Australia enjoy rent-free or subsidised accommodation.
(2) Western Australia Police has seen no evidence that suggests the ability to find affordable housing is a disincentive in recruiting or retaining police officers. (3) WA Police provides rent-free accommodation to all officers in charge of regional police stations. A further 59 locations across regional Western Australia enjoy rent-free or subsidised accommodation.
(3) WA Police provides rent-free accommodation to all officers in charge of regional police stations. A further 59 locations across regional Western Australia enjoy rent-free or subsidised accommodation.

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