❓ The Minister for Housing and Works details the government's $120 million, four-year regional upgrade strategy to improve public housing in regional Western Australia, including specific projects in Williams and Katanning. The Minister also criticises the Member for Merredin's stance on Homeswest residents moving to his electorate.
AnsweredQoN 359Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Will the minister please tell members what the government is doing to improve the quality of public housing in regional Western Australia? Mr F.M. LOGAN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Albany for his strong support for public housing in the regions, unlike that of some people. During the parliamentary break, I had the opportunity, once again, to visit the southern wheatbelt area of this state and look at some of the great work that Homeswest and the Department of Housing and Works are doing in the region. I went to Williams, where I handed over the keys to two new seniors units, which were built in conjunction with the shire. I also went to Katanning, where a fantastic development is occurring. Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The member for Warren-Blackwood should listen. Homeswest will replace or refurbish 87 of the 126 homes in Katanning. That is a fantastic outcome. I handed over the keys to one of the 12 houses in Katanning that have recently been built. Another 12 have been refurbished and six are under construction. Of course, this regional upgrade strategy by the government will provide a fantastic boost to regional economies. Where we can, local builders and local architects are used, and that all feeds into the economy of regional Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The member for Vasse should listen to this. By the way, I do not like the shade of lipstick the member for Vasse is wearing at the moment. A pink shade would be much nicer on him. I point out to you, Mr Speaker, that the member for Vasse is wearing a very strange shade of green lipstick at the moment. I know he is more of a pink man. I know some strange things are happening in the Liberal Party, but will the Leader of the Opposition encourage his backbenchers not to wear lipstick in the house because it is not appropriate? I ask regional members to listen because this is important. In 2004-05 a four-year regional upgrade strategy commenced. The government will spend $120 million on replacing 800 - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : This does not apply to Nedlands, but I ask regional backbenchers to listen. Over the next four years, the government will replace 800 Homeswest houses in regional Western Australia. It is one of the biggest public housing upgrades to occur in the regions in the past 40 years. This should be good news to regional members, and it should be good news to the member for Merredin. I would have thought that the member for Merredin would accept this as great news for his town. However, the member for Merredin has a very funny approach to this issue. The member for Merredin wrote a letter to me in which he referred to the exodus of Homeswest and Centrelink-reliant people from the city. He stated in his letter that there seemed to be a constant stream of people from the metropolitan area into the country, with the expectation that life will be easy. He went on to state that, on the contrary, these people had fewer services to utilise and a less supportive network. The member for Merredin seemed keen for me to tell Homeswest residents what a rotten place Merredin is, but on 20 July he put out a media release describing the unique opportunities for home seekers in the bush. He has called on the government to provide an extra $3 000 in the first home owners scheme to encourage people to go to the bush. The member for Merredin is encouraging people to move to the bush and telling them what a great place it is, as long as they are not Homeswest residents. He has a belief that the government is putting more Homeswest residents in the bush. We are not. We do not direct Homeswest people to Merredin. The member for Merredin will also be pleased to hear that this year the government intends to build another six three-bedroom units, at a cost of more than $1 million. That should be good news to the member, because the government will be putting more Homeswest residents in Merredin. I am sure the member will be pleased.
Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: I thank the member for Albany for his strong support for public housing in the regions, unlike that of some people. During the parliamentary break, I had the opportunity, once again, to visit the southern wheatbelt area of this state and look at some of the great work that Homeswest and the Department of Housing and Works are doing in the region. I went to Williams, where I handed over the keys to two new seniors units, which were built in conjunction with the shire. I also went to Katanning, where a fantastic development is occurring. Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The member for Warren-Blackwood should listen. Homeswest will replace or refurbish 87 of the 126 homes in Katanning. That is a fantastic outcome. I handed over the keys to one of the 12 houses in Katanning that have recently been built. Another 12 have been refurbished and six are under construction. Of course, this regional upgrade strategy by the government will provide a fantastic boost to regional economies. Where we can, local builders and local architects are used, and that all feeds into the economy of regional Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The member for Vasse should listen to this. By the way, I do not like the shade of lipstick the member for Vasse is wearing at the moment. A pink shade would be much nicer on him. I point out to you, Mr Speaker, that the member for Vasse is wearing a very strange shade of green lipstick at the moment. I know he is more of a pink man. I know some strange things are happening in the Liberal Party, but will the Leader of the Opposition encourage his backbenchers not to wear lipstick in the house because it is not appropriate? I ask regional members to listen because this is important. In 2004-05 a four-year regional upgrade strategy commenced. The government will spend $120 million on replacing 800 - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : This does not apply to Nedlands, but I ask regional backbenchers to listen. Over the next four years, the government will replace 800 Homeswest houses in regional Western Australia. It is one of the biggest public housing upgrades to occur in the regions in the past 40 years. This should be good news to regional members, and it should be good news to the member for Merredin. I would have thought that the member for Merredin would accept this as great news for his town. However, the member for Merredin has a very funny approach to this issue. The member for Merredin wrote a letter to me in which he referred to the exodus of Homeswest and Centrelink-reliant people from the city. He stated in his letter that there seemed to be a constant stream of people from the metropolitan area into the country, with the expectation that life will be easy. He went on to state that, on the contrary, these people had fewer services to utilise and a less supportive network. The member for Merredin seemed keen for me to tell Homeswest residents what a rotten place Merredin is, but on 20 July he put out a media release describing the unique opportunities for home seekers in the bush. He has called on the government to provide an extra $3 000 in the first home owners scheme to encourage people to go to the bush. The member for Merredin is encouraging people to move to the bush and telling them what a great place it is, as long as they are not Homeswest residents. He has a belief that the government is putting more Homeswest residents in the bush. We are not. We do not direct Homeswest people to Merredin. The member for Merredin will also be pleased to hear that this year the government intends to build another six three-bedroom units, at a cost of more than $1 million. That should be good news to the member, because the government will be putting more Homeswest residents in Merredin. I am sure the member will be pleased.
I thank the member for Albany for his strong support for public housing in the regions, unlike that of some people. During the parliamentary break, I had the opportunity, once again, to visit the southern wheatbelt area of this state and look at some of the great work that Homeswest and the Department of Housing and Works are doing in the region. I went to Williams, where I handed over the keys to two new seniors units, which were built in conjunction with the shire. I also went to Katanning, where a fantastic development is occurring. Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The member for Warren-Blackwood should listen. Homeswest will replace or refurbish 87 of the 126 homes in Katanning. That is a fantastic outcome. I handed over the keys to one of the 12 houses in Katanning that have recently been built. Another 12 have been refurbished and six are under construction. Of course, this regional upgrade strategy by the government will provide a fantastic boost to regional economies. Where we can, local builders and local architects are used, and that all feeds into the economy of regional Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The member for Vasse should listen to this. By the way, I do not like the shade of lipstick the member for Vasse is wearing at the moment. A pink shade would be much nicer on him. I point out to you, Mr Speaker, that the member for Vasse is wearing a very strange shade of green lipstick at the moment. I know he is more of a pink man. I know some strange things are happening in the Liberal Party, but will the Leader of the Opposition encourage his backbenchers not to wear lipstick in the house because it is not appropriate? I ask regional members to listen because this is important. In 2004-05 a four-year regional upgrade strategy commenced. The government will spend $120 million on replacing 800 - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : This does not apply to Nedlands, but I ask regional backbenchers to listen. Over the next four years, the government will replace 800 Homeswest houses in regional Western Australia. It is one of the biggest public housing upgrades to occur in the regions in the past 40 years. This should be good news to regional members, and it should be good news to the member for Merredin. I would have thought that the member for Merredin would accept this as great news for his town. However, the member for Merredin has a very funny approach to this issue. The member for Merredin wrote a letter to me in which he referred to the exodus of Homeswest and Centrelink-reliant people from the city. He stated in his letter that there seemed to be a constant stream of people from the metropolitan area into the country, with the expectation that life will be easy. He went on to state that, on the contrary, these people had fewer services to utilise and a less supportive network. The member for Merredin seemed keen for me to tell Homeswest residents what a rotten place Merredin is, but on 20 July he put out a media release describing the unique opportunities for home seekers in the bush. He has called on the government to provide an extra $3 000 in the first home owners scheme to encourage people to go to the bush. The member for Merredin is encouraging people to move to the bush and telling them what a great place it is, as long as they are not Homeswest residents. He has a belief that the government is putting more Homeswest residents in the bush. We are not. We do not direct Homeswest people to Merredin. The member for Merredin will also be pleased to hear that this year the government intends to build another six three-bedroom units, at a cost of more than $1 million. That should be good news to the member, because the government will be putting more Homeswest residents in Merredin. I am sure the member will be pleased.
Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The member for Warren-Blackwood should listen. Homeswest will replace or refurbish 87 of the 126 homes in Katanning. That is a fantastic outcome. I handed over the keys to one of the 12 houses in Katanning that have recently been built. Another 12 have been refurbished and six are under construction. Of course, this regional upgrade strategy by the government will provide a fantastic boost to regional economies. Where we can, local builders and local architects are used, and that all feeds into the economy of regional Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The member for Vasse should listen to this. By the way, I do not like the shade of lipstick the member for Vasse is wearing at the moment. A pink shade would be much nicer on him. I point out to you, Mr Speaker, that the member for Vasse is wearing a very strange shade of green lipstick at the moment. I know he is more of a pink man. I know some strange things are happening in the Liberal Party, but will the Leader of the Opposition encourage his backbenchers not to wear lipstick in the house because it is not appropriate? I ask regional members to listen because this is important. In 2004-05 a four-year regional upgrade strategy commenced. The government will spend $120 million on replacing 800 - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : This does not apply to Nedlands, but I ask regional backbenchers to listen. Over the next four years, the government will replace 800 Homeswest houses in regional Western Australia. It is one of the biggest public housing upgrades to occur in the regions in the past 40 years. This should be good news to regional members, and it should be good news to the member for Merredin. I would have thought that the member for Merredin would accept this as great news for his town. However, the member for Merredin has a very funny approach to this issue. The member for Merredin wrote a letter to me in which he referred to the exodus of Homeswest and Centrelink-reliant people from the city. He stated in his letter that there seemed to be a constant stream of people from the metropolitan area into the country, with the expectation that life will be easy. He went on to state that, on the contrary, these people had fewer services to utilise and a less supportive network. The member for Merredin seemed keen for me to tell Homeswest residents what a rotten place Merredin is, but on 20 July he put out a media release describing the unique opportunities for home seekers in the bush. He has called on the government to provide an extra $3 000 in the first home owners scheme to encourage people to go to the bush. The member for Merredin is encouraging people to move to the bush and telling them what a great place it is, as long as they are not Homeswest residents. He has a belief that the government is putting more Homeswest residents in the bush. We are not. We do not direct Homeswest people to Merredin. The member for Merredin will also be pleased to hear that this year the government intends to build another six three-bedroom units, at a cost of more than $1 million. That should be good news to the member, because the government will be putting more Homeswest residents in Merredin. I am sure the member will be pleased.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : The member for Warren-Blackwood should listen. Homeswest will replace or refurbish 87 of the 126 homes in Katanning. That is a fantastic outcome. I handed over the keys to one of the 12 houses in Katanning that have recently been built. Another 12 have been refurbished and six are under construction. Of course, this regional upgrade strategy by the government will provide a fantastic boost to regional economies. Where we can, local builders and local architects are used, and that all feeds into the economy of regional Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The member for Vasse should listen to this. By the way, I do not like the shade of lipstick the member for Vasse is wearing at the moment. A pink shade would be much nicer on him. I point out to you, Mr Speaker, that the member for Vasse is wearing a very strange shade of green lipstick at the moment. I know he is more of a pink man. I know some strange things are happening in the Liberal Party, but will the Leader of the Opposition encourage his backbenchers not to wear lipstick in the house because it is not appropriate? I ask regional members to listen because this is important. In 2004-05 a four-year regional upgrade strategy commenced. The government will spend $120 million on replacing 800 - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : This does not apply to Nedlands, but I ask regional backbenchers to listen. Over the next four years, the government will replace 800 Homeswest houses in regional Western Australia. It is one of the biggest public housing upgrades to occur in the regions in the past 40 years. This should be good news to regional members, and it should be good news to the member for Merredin. I would have thought that the member for Merredin would accept this as great news for his town. However, the member for Merredin has a very funny approach to this issue. The member for Merredin wrote a letter to me in which he referred to the exodus of Homeswest and Centrelink-reliant people from the city. He stated in his letter that there seemed to be a constant stream of people from the metropolitan area into the country, with the expectation that life will be easy. He went on to state that, on the contrary, these people had fewer services to utilise and a less supportive network. The member for Merredin seemed keen for me to tell Homeswest residents what a rotten place Merredin is, but on 20 July he put out a media release describing the unique opportunities for home seekers in the bush. He has called on the government to provide an extra $3 000 in the first home owners scheme to encourage people to go to the bush. The member for Merredin is encouraging people to move to the bush and telling them what a great place it is, as long as they are not Homeswest residents. He has a belief that the government is putting more Homeswest residents in the bush. We are not. We do not direct Homeswest people to Merredin. The member for Merredin will also be pleased to hear that this year the government intends to build another six three-bedroom units, at a cost of more than $1 million. That should be good news to the member, because the government will be putting more Homeswest residents in Merredin. I am sure the member will be pleased.
Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The member for Vasse should listen to this. By the way, I do not like the shade of lipstick the member for Vasse is wearing at the moment. A pink shade would be much nicer on him. I point out to you, Mr Speaker, that the member for Vasse is wearing a very strange shade of green lipstick at the moment. I know he is more of a pink man. I know some strange things are happening in the Liberal Party, but will the Leader of the Opposition encourage his backbenchers not to wear lipstick in the house because it is not appropriate? I ask regional members to listen because this is important. In 2004-05 a four-year regional upgrade strategy commenced. The government will spend $120 million on replacing 800 - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : This does not apply to Nedlands, but I ask regional backbenchers to listen. Over the next four years, the government will replace 800 Homeswest houses in regional Western Australia. It is one of the biggest public housing upgrades to occur in the regions in the past 40 years. This should be good news to regional members, and it should be good news to the member for Merredin. I would have thought that the member for Merredin would accept this as great news for his town. However, the member for Merredin has a very funny approach to this issue. The member for Merredin wrote a letter to me in which he referred to the exodus of Homeswest and Centrelink-reliant people from the city. He stated in his letter that there seemed to be a constant stream of people from the metropolitan area into the country, with the expectation that life will be easy. He went on to state that, on the contrary, these people had fewer services to utilise and a less supportive network. The member for Merredin seemed keen for me to tell Homeswest residents what a rotten place Merredin is, but on 20 July he put out a media release describing the unique opportunities for home seekers in the bush. He has called on the government to provide an extra $3 000 in the first home owners scheme to encourage people to go to the bush. The member for Merredin is encouraging people to move to the bush and telling them what a great place it is, as long as they are not Homeswest residents. He has a belief that the government is putting more Homeswest residents in the bush. We are not. We do not direct Homeswest people to Merredin. The member for Merredin will also be pleased to hear that this year the government intends to build another six three-bedroom units, at a cost of more than $1 million. That should be good news to the member, because the government will be putting more Homeswest residents in Merredin. I am sure the member will be pleased.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : The member for Vasse should listen to this. By the way, I do not like the shade of lipstick the member for Vasse is wearing at the moment. A pink shade would be much nicer on him. I point out to you, Mr Speaker, that the member for Vasse is wearing a very strange shade of green lipstick at the moment. I know he is more of a pink man. I know some strange things are happening in the Liberal Party, but will the Leader of the Opposition encourage his backbenchers not to wear lipstick in the house because it is not appropriate? I ask regional members to listen because this is important. In 2004-05 a four-year regional upgrade strategy commenced. The government will spend $120 million on replacing 800 - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : This does not apply to Nedlands, but I ask regional backbenchers to listen. Over the next four years, the government will replace 800 Homeswest houses in regional Western Australia. It is one of the biggest public housing upgrades to occur in the regions in the past 40 years. This should be good news to regional members, and it should be good news to the member for Merredin. I would have thought that the member for Merredin would accept this as great news for his town. However, the member for Merredin has a very funny approach to this issue. The member for Merredin wrote a letter to me in which he referred to the exodus of Homeswest and Centrelink-reliant people from the city. He stated in his letter that there seemed to be a constant stream of people from the metropolitan area into the country, with the expectation that life will be easy. He went on to state that, on the contrary, these people had fewer services to utilise and a less supportive network. The member for Merredin seemed keen for me to tell Homeswest residents what a rotten place Merredin is, but on 20 July he put out a media release describing the unique opportunities for home seekers in the bush. He has called on the government to provide an extra $3 000 in the first home owners scheme to encourage people to go to the bush. The member for Merredin is encouraging people to move to the bush and telling them what a great place it is, as long as they are not Homeswest residents. He has a belief that the government is putting more Homeswest residents in the bush. We are not. We do not direct Homeswest people to Merredin. The member for Merredin will also be pleased to hear that this year the government intends to build another six three-bedroom units, at a cost of more than $1 million. That should be good news to the member, because the government will be putting more Homeswest residents in Merredin. I am sure the member will be pleased.
I ask regional members to listen because this is important. In 2004-05 a four-year regional upgrade strategy commenced. The government will spend $120 million on replacing 800 - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : This does not apply to Nedlands, but I ask regional backbenchers to listen. Over the next four years, the government will replace 800 Homeswest houses in regional Western Australia. It is one of the biggest public housing upgrades to occur in the regions in the past 40 years. This should be good news to regional members, and it should be good news to the member for Merredin. I would have thought that the member for Merredin would accept this as great news for his town. However, the member for Merredin has a very funny approach to this issue. The member for Merredin wrote a letter to me in which he referred to the exodus of Homeswest and Centrelink-reliant people from the city. He stated in his letter that there seemed to be a constant stream of people from the metropolitan area into the country, with the expectation that life will be easy. He went on to state that, on the contrary, these people had fewer services to utilise and a less supportive network. The member for Merredin seemed keen for me to tell Homeswest residents what a rotten place Merredin is, but on 20 July he put out a media release describing the unique opportunities for home seekers in the bush. He has called on the government to provide an extra $3 000 in the first home owners scheme to encourage people to go to the bush. The member for Merredin is encouraging people to move to the bush and telling them what a great place it is, as long as they are not Homeswest residents. He has a belief that the government is putting more Homeswest residents in the bush. We are not. We do not direct Homeswest people to Merredin. The member for Merredin will also be pleased to hear that this year the government intends to build another six three-bedroom units, at a cost of more than $1 million. That should be good news to the member, because the government will be putting more Homeswest residents in Merredin. I am sure the member will be pleased.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : This does not apply to Nedlands, but I ask regional backbenchers to listen. Over the next four years, the government will replace 800 Homeswest houses in regional Western Australia. It is one of the biggest public housing upgrades to occur in the regions in the past 40 years. This should be good news to regional members, and it should be good news to the member for Merredin. I would have thought that the member for Merredin would accept this as great news for his town. However, the member for Merredin has a very funny approach to this issue. The member for Merredin wrote a letter to me in which he referred to the exodus of Homeswest and Centrelink-reliant people from the city. He stated in his letter that there seemed to be a constant stream of people from the metropolitan area into the country, with the expectation that life will be easy. He went on to state that, on the contrary, these people had fewer services to utilise and a less supportive network. The member for Merredin seemed keen for me to tell Homeswest residents what a rotten place Merredin is, but on 20 July he put out a media release describing the unique opportunities for home seekers in the bush. He has called on the government to provide an extra $3 000 in the first home owners scheme to encourage people to go to the bush. The member for Merredin is encouraging people to move to the bush and telling them what a great place it is, as long as they are not Homeswest residents. He has a belief that the government is putting more Homeswest residents in the bush. We are not. We do not direct Homeswest people to Merredin. The member for Merredin will also be pleased to hear that this year the government intends to build another six three-bedroom units, at a cost of more than $1 million. That should be good news to the member, because the government will be putting more Homeswest residents in Merredin. I am sure the member will be pleased.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : This does not apply to Nedlands, but I ask regional backbenchers to listen. Over the next four years, the government will replace 800 Homeswest houses in regional Western Australia. It is one of the biggest public housing upgrades to occur in the regions in the past 40 years. This should be good news to regional members, and it should be good news to the member for Merredin. I would have thought that the member for Merredin would accept this as great news for his town. However, the member for Merredin has a very funny approach to this issue. The member for Merredin wrote a letter to me in which he referred to the exodus of Homeswest and Centrelink-reliant people from the city. He stated in his letter that there seemed to be a constant stream of people from the metropolitan area into the country, with the expectation that life will be easy. He went on to state that, on the contrary, these people had fewer services to utilise and a less supportive network. The member for Merredin seemed keen for me to tell Homeswest residents what a rotten place Merredin is, but on 20 July he put out a media release describing the unique opportunities for home seekers in the bush. He has called on the government to provide an extra $3 000 in the first home owners scheme to encourage people to go to the bush. The member for Merredin is encouraging people to move to the bush and telling them what a great place it is, as long as they are not Homeswest residents. He has a belief that the government is putting more Homeswest residents in the bush. We are not. We do not direct Homeswest people to Merredin. The member for Merredin will also be pleased to hear that this year the government intends to build another six three-bedroom units, at a cost of more than $1 million. That should be good news to the member, because the government will be putting more Homeswest residents in Merredin. I am sure the member will be pleased.
Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: I thank the member for Albany for his strong support for public housing in the regions, unlike that of some people. During the parliamentary break, I had the opportunity, once again, to visit the southern wheatbelt area of this state and look at some of the great work that Homeswest and the Department of Housing and Works are doing in the region. I went to Williams, where I handed over the keys to two new seniors units, which were built in conjunction with the shire. I also went to Katanning, where a fantastic development is occurring. Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The member for Warren-Blackwood should listen. Homeswest will replace or refurbish 87 of the 126 homes in Katanning. That is a fantastic outcome. I handed over the keys to one of the 12 houses in Katanning that have recently been built. Another 12 have been refurbished and six are under construction. Of course, this regional upgrade strategy by the government will provide a fantastic boost to regional economies. Where we can, local builders and local architects are used, and that all feeds into the economy of regional Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The member for Vasse should listen to this. By the way, I do not like the shade of lipstick the member for Vasse is wearing at the moment. A pink shade would be much nicer on him. I point out to you, Mr Speaker, that the member for Vasse is wearing a very strange shade of green lipstick at the moment. I know he is more of a pink man. I know some strange things are happening in the Liberal Party, but will the Leader of the Opposition encourage his backbenchers not to wear lipstick in the house because it is not appropriate? I ask regional members to listen because this is important. In 2004-05 a four-year regional upgrade strategy commenced. The government will spend $120 million on replacing 800 - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : This does not apply to Nedlands, but I ask regional backbenchers to listen. Over the next four years, the government will replace 800 Homeswest houses in regional Western Australia. It is one of the biggest public housing upgrades to occur in the regions in the past 40 years. This should be good news to regional members, and it should be good news to the member for Merredin. I would have thought that the member for Merredin would accept this as great news for his town. However, the member for Merredin has a very funny approach to this issue. The member for Merredin wrote a letter to me in which he referred to the exodus of Homeswest and Centrelink-reliant people from the city. He stated in his letter that there seemed to be a constant stream of people from the metropolitan area into the country, with the expectation that life will be easy. He went on to state that, on the contrary, these people had fewer services to utilise and a less supportive network. The member for Merredin seemed keen for me to tell Homeswest residents what a rotten place Merredin is, but on 20 July he put out a media release describing the unique opportunities for home seekers in the bush. He has called on the government to provide an extra $3 000 in the first home owners scheme to encourage people to go to the bush. The member for Merredin is encouraging people to move to the bush and telling them what a great place it is, as long as they are not Homeswest residents. He has a belief that the government is putting more Homeswest residents in the bush. We are not. We do not direct Homeswest people to Merredin. The member for Merredin will also be pleased to hear that this year the government intends to build another six three-bedroom units, at a cost of more than $1 million. That should be good news to the member, because the government will be putting more Homeswest residents in Merredin. I am sure the member will be pleased.
I thank the member for Albany for his strong support for public housing in the regions, unlike that of some people. During the parliamentary break, I had the opportunity, once again, to visit the southern wheatbelt area of this state and look at some of the great work that Homeswest and the Department of Housing and Works are doing in the region. I went to Williams, where I handed over the keys to two new seniors units, which were built in conjunction with the shire. I also went to Katanning, where a fantastic development is occurring. Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The member for Warren-Blackwood should listen. Homeswest will replace or refurbish 87 of the 126 homes in Katanning. That is a fantastic outcome. I handed over the keys to one of the 12 houses in Katanning that have recently been built. Another 12 have been refurbished and six are under construction. Of course, this regional upgrade strategy by the government will provide a fantastic boost to regional economies. Where we can, local builders and local architects are used, and that all feeds into the economy of regional Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The member for Vasse should listen to this. By the way, I do not like the shade of lipstick the member for Vasse is wearing at the moment. A pink shade would be much nicer on him. I point out to you, Mr Speaker, that the member for Vasse is wearing a very strange shade of green lipstick at the moment. I know he is more of a pink man. I know some strange things are happening in the Liberal Party, but will the Leader of the Opposition encourage his backbenchers not to wear lipstick in the house because it is not appropriate? I ask regional members to listen because this is important. In 2004-05 a four-year regional upgrade strategy commenced. The government will spend $120 million on replacing 800 - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : This does not apply to Nedlands, but I ask regional backbenchers to listen. Over the next four years, the government will replace 800 Homeswest houses in regional Western Australia. It is one of the biggest public housing upgrades to occur in the regions in the past 40 years. This should be good news to regional members, and it should be good news to the member for Merredin. I would have thought that the member for Merredin would accept this as great news for his town. However, the member for Merredin has a very funny approach to this issue. The member for Merredin wrote a letter to me in which he referred to the exodus of Homeswest and Centrelink-reliant people from the city. He stated in his letter that there seemed to be a constant stream of people from the metropolitan area into the country, with the expectation that life will be easy. He went on to state that, on the contrary, these people had fewer services to utilise and a less supportive network. The member for Merredin seemed keen for me to tell Homeswest residents what a rotten place Merredin is, but on 20 July he put out a media release describing the unique opportunities for home seekers in the bush. He has called on the government to provide an extra $3 000 in the first home owners scheme to encourage people to go to the bush. The member for Merredin is encouraging people to move to the bush and telling them what a great place it is, as long as they are not Homeswest residents. He has a belief that the government is putting more Homeswest residents in the bush. We are not. We do not direct Homeswest people to Merredin. The member for Merredin will also be pleased to hear that this year the government intends to build another six three-bedroom units, at a cost of more than $1 million. That should be good news to the member, because the government will be putting more Homeswest residents in Merredin. I am sure the member will be pleased.
Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The member for Warren-Blackwood should listen. Homeswest will replace or refurbish 87 of the 126 homes in Katanning. That is a fantastic outcome. I handed over the keys to one of the 12 houses in Katanning that have recently been built. Another 12 have been refurbished and six are under construction. Of course, this regional upgrade strategy by the government will provide a fantastic boost to regional economies. Where we can, local builders and local architects are used, and that all feeds into the economy of regional Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The member for Vasse should listen to this. By the way, I do not like the shade of lipstick the member for Vasse is wearing at the moment. A pink shade would be much nicer on him. I point out to you, Mr Speaker, that the member for Vasse is wearing a very strange shade of green lipstick at the moment. I know he is more of a pink man. I know some strange things are happening in the Liberal Party, but will the Leader of the Opposition encourage his backbenchers not to wear lipstick in the house because it is not appropriate? I ask regional members to listen because this is important. In 2004-05 a four-year regional upgrade strategy commenced. The government will spend $120 million on replacing 800 - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : This does not apply to Nedlands, but I ask regional backbenchers to listen. Over the next four years, the government will replace 800 Homeswest houses in regional Western Australia. It is one of the biggest public housing upgrades to occur in the regions in the past 40 years. This should be good news to regional members, and it should be good news to the member for Merredin. I would have thought that the member for Merredin would accept this as great news for his town. However, the member for Merredin has a very funny approach to this issue. The member for Merredin wrote a letter to me in which he referred to the exodus of Homeswest and Centrelink-reliant people from the city. He stated in his letter that there seemed to be a constant stream of people from the metropolitan area into the country, with the expectation that life will be easy. He went on to state that, on the contrary, these people had fewer services to utilise and a less supportive network. The member for Merredin seemed keen for me to tell Homeswest residents what a rotten place Merredin is, but on 20 July he put out a media release describing the unique opportunities for home seekers in the bush. He has called on the government to provide an extra $3 000 in the first home owners scheme to encourage people to go to the bush. The member for Merredin is encouraging people to move to the bush and telling them what a great place it is, as long as they are not Homeswest residents. He has a belief that the government is putting more Homeswest residents in the bush. We are not. We do not direct Homeswest people to Merredin. The member for Merredin will also be pleased to hear that this year the government intends to build another six three-bedroom units, at a cost of more than $1 million. That should be good news to the member, because the government will be putting more Homeswest residents in Merredin. I am sure the member will be pleased.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : The member for Warren-Blackwood should listen. Homeswest will replace or refurbish 87 of the 126 homes in Katanning. That is a fantastic outcome. I handed over the keys to one of the 12 houses in Katanning that have recently been built. Another 12 have been refurbished and six are under construction. Of course, this regional upgrade strategy by the government will provide a fantastic boost to regional economies. Where we can, local builders and local architects are used, and that all feeds into the economy of regional Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The member for Vasse should listen to this. By the way, I do not like the shade of lipstick the member for Vasse is wearing at the moment. A pink shade would be much nicer on him. I point out to you, Mr Speaker, that the member for Vasse is wearing a very strange shade of green lipstick at the moment. I know he is more of a pink man. I know some strange things are happening in the Liberal Party, but will the Leader of the Opposition encourage his backbenchers not to wear lipstick in the house because it is not appropriate? I ask regional members to listen because this is important. In 2004-05 a four-year regional upgrade strategy commenced. The government will spend $120 million on replacing 800 - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : This does not apply to Nedlands, but I ask regional backbenchers to listen. Over the next four years, the government will replace 800 Homeswest houses in regional Western Australia. It is one of the biggest public housing upgrades to occur in the regions in the past 40 years. This should be good news to regional members, and it should be good news to the member for Merredin. I would have thought that the member for Merredin would accept this as great news for his town. However, the member for Merredin has a very funny approach to this issue. The member for Merredin wrote a letter to me in which he referred to the exodus of Homeswest and Centrelink-reliant people from the city. He stated in his letter that there seemed to be a constant stream of people from the metropolitan area into the country, with the expectation that life will be easy. He went on to state that, on the contrary, these people had fewer services to utilise and a less supportive network. The member for Merredin seemed keen for me to tell Homeswest residents what a rotten place Merredin is, but on 20 July he put out a media release describing the unique opportunities for home seekers in the bush. He has called on the government to provide an extra $3 000 in the first home owners scheme to encourage people to go to the bush. The member for Merredin is encouraging people to move to the bush and telling them what a great place it is, as long as they are not Homeswest residents. He has a belief that the government is putting more Homeswest residents in the bush. We are not. We do not direct Homeswest people to Merredin. The member for Merredin will also be pleased to hear that this year the government intends to build another six three-bedroom units, at a cost of more than $1 million. That should be good news to the member, because the government will be putting more Homeswest residents in Merredin. I am sure the member will be pleased.
Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The member for Vasse should listen to this. By the way, I do not like the shade of lipstick the member for Vasse is wearing at the moment. A pink shade would be much nicer on him. I point out to you, Mr Speaker, that the member for Vasse is wearing a very strange shade of green lipstick at the moment. I know he is more of a pink man. I know some strange things are happening in the Liberal Party, but will the Leader of the Opposition encourage his backbenchers not to wear lipstick in the house because it is not appropriate? I ask regional members to listen because this is important. In 2004-05 a four-year regional upgrade strategy commenced. The government will spend $120 million on replacing 800 - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : This does not apply to Nedlands, but I ask regional backbenchers to listen. Over the next four years, the government will replace 800 Homeswest houses in regional Western Australia. It is one of the biggest public housing upgrades to occur in the regions in the past 40 years. This should be good news to regional members, and it should be good news to the member for Merredin. I would have thought that the member for Merredin would accept this as great news for his town. However, the member for Merredin has a very funny approach to this issue. The member for Merredin wrote a letter to me in which he referred to the exodus of Homeswest and Centrelink-reliant people from the city. He stated in his letter that there seemed to be a constant stream of people from the metropolitan area into the country, with the expectation that life will be easy. He went on to state that, on the contrary, these people had fewer services to utilise and a less supportive network. The member for Merredin seemed keen for me to tell Homeswest residents what a rotten place Merredin is, but on 20 July he put out a media release describing the unique opportunities for home seekers in the bush. He has called on the government to provide an extra $3 000 in the first home owners scheme to encourage people to go to the bush. The member for Merredin is encouraging people to move to the bush and telling them what a great place it is, as long as they are not Homeswest residents. He has a belief that the government is putting more Homeswest residents in the bush. We are not. We do not direct Homeswest people to Merredin. The member for Merredin will also be pleased to hear that this year the government intends to build another six three-bedroom units, at a cost of more than $1 million. That should be good news to the member, because the government will be putting more Homeswest residents in Merredin. I am sure the member will be pleased.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : The member for Vasse should listen to this. By the way, I do not like the shade of lipstick the member for Vasse is wearing at the moment. A pink shade would be much nicer on him. I point out to you, Mr Speaker, that the member for Vasse is wearing a very strange shade of green lipstick at the moment. I know he is more of a pink man. I know some strange things are happening in the Liberal Party, but will the Leader of the Opposition encourage his backbenchers not to wear lipstick in the house because it is not appropriate? I ask regional members to listen because this is important. In 2004-05 a four-year regional upgrade strategy commenced. The government will spend $120 million on replacing 800 - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : This does not apply to Nedlands, but I ask regional backbenchers to listen. Over the next four years, the government will replace 800 Homeswest houses in regional Western Australia. It is one of the biggest public housing upgrades to occur in the regions in the past 40 years. This should be good news to regional members, and it should be good news to the member for Merredin. I would have thought that the member for Merredin would accept this as great news for his town. However, the member for Merredin has a very funny approach to this issue. The member for Merredin wrote a letter to me in which he referred to the exodus of Homeswest and Centrelink-reliant people from the city. He stated in his letter that there seemed to be a constant stream of people from the metropolitan area into the country, with the expectation that life will be easy. He went on to state that, on the contrary, these people had fewer services to utilise and a less supportive network. The member for Merredin seemed keen for me to tell Homeswest residents what a rotten place Merredin is, but on 20 July he put out a media release describing the unique opportunities for home seekers in the bush. He has called on the government to provide an extra $3 000 in the first home owners scheme to encourage people to go to the bush. The member for Merredin is encouraging people to move to the bush and telling them what a great place it is, as long as they are not Homeswest residents. He has a belief that the government is putting more Homeswest residents in the bush. We are not. We do not direct Homeswest people to Merredin. The member for Merredin will also be pleased to hear that this year the government intends to build another six three-bedroom units, at a cost of more than $1 million. That should be good news to the member, because the government will be putting more Homeswest residents in Merredin. I am sure the member will be pleased.
I ask regional members to listen because this is important. In 2004-05 a four-year regional upgrade strategy commenced. The government will spend $120 million on replacing 800 - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : This does not apply to Nedlands, but I ask regional backbenchers to listen. Over the next four years, the government will replace 800 Homeswest houses in regional Western Australia. It is one of the biggest public housing upgrades to occur in the regions in the past 40 years. This should be good news to regional members, and it should be good news to the member for Merredin. I would have thought that the member for Merredin would accept this as great news for his town. However, the member for Merredin has a very funny approach to this issue. The member for Merredin wrote a letter to me in which he referred to the exodus of Homeswest and Centrelink-reliant people from the city. He stated in his letter that there seemed to be a constant stream of people from the metropolitan area into the country, with the expectation that life will be easy. He went on to state that, on the contrary, these people had fewer services to utilise and a less supportive network. The member for Merredin seemed keen for me to tell Homeswest residents what a rotten place Merredin is, but on 20 July he put out a media release describing the unique opportunities for home seekers in the bush. He has called on the government to provide an extra $3 000 in the first home owners scheme to encourage people to go to the bush. The member for Merredin is encouraging people to move to the bush and telling them what a great place it is, as long as they are not Homeswest residents. He has a belief that the government is putting more Homeswest residents in the bush. We are not. We do not direct Homeswest people to Merredin. The member for Merredin will also be pleased to hear that this year the government intends to build another six three-bedroom units, at a cost of more than $1 million. That should be good news to the member, because the government will be putting more Homeswest residents in Merredin. I am sure the member will be pleased.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : This does not apply to Nedlands, but I ask regional backbenchers to listen. Over the next four years, the government will replace 800 Homeswest houses in regional Western Australia. It is one of the biggest public housing upgrades to occur in the regions in the past 40 years. This should be good news to regional members, and it should be good news to the member for Merredin. I would have thought that the member for Merredin would accept this as great news for his town. However, the member for Merredin has a very funny approach to this issue. The member for Merredin wrote a letter to me in which he referred to the exodus of Homeswest and Centrelink-reliant people from the city. He stated in his letter that there seemed to be a constant stream of people from the metropolitan area into the country, with the expectation that life will be easy. He went on to state that, on the contrary, these people had fewer services to utilise and a less supportive network. The member for Merredin seemed keen for me to tell Homeswest residents what a rotten place Merredin is, but on 20 July he put out a media release describing the unique opportunities for home seekers in the bush. He has called on the government to provide an extra $3 000 in the first home owners scheme to encourage people to go to the bush. The member for Merredin is encouraging people to move to the bush and telling them what a great place it is, as long as they are not Homeswest residents. He has a belief that the government is putting more Homeswest residents in the bush. We are not. We do not direct Homeswest people to Merredin. The member for Merredin will also be pleased to hear that this year the government intends to build another six three-bedroom units, at a cost of more than $1 million. That should be good news to the member, because the government will be putting more Homeswest residents in Merredin. I am sure the member will be pleased.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : This does not apply to Nedlands, but I ask regional backbenchers to listen. Over the next four years, the government will replace 800 Homeswest houses in regional Western Australia. It is one of the biggest public housing upgrades to occur in the regions in the past 40 years. This should be good news to regional members, and it should be good news to the member for Merredin. I would have thought that the member for Merredin would accept this as great news for his town. However, the member for Merredin has a very funny approach to this issue. The member for Merredin wrote a letter to me in which he referred to the exodus of Homeswest and Centrelink-reliant people from the city. He stated in his letter that there seemed to be a constant stream of people from the metropolitan area into the country, with the expectation that life will be easy. He went on to state that, on the contrary, these people had fewer services to utilise and a less supportive network. The member for Merredin seemed keen for me to tell Homeswest residents what a rotten place Merredin is, but on 20 July he put out a media release describing the unique opportunities for home seekers in the bush. He has called on the government to provide an extra $3 000 in the first home owners scheme to encourage people to go to the bush. The member for Merredin is encouraging people to move to the bush and telling them what a great place it is, as long as they are not Homeswest residents. He has a belief that the government is putting more Homeswest residents in the bush. We are not. We do not direct Homeswest people to Merredin. The member for Merredin will also be pleased to hear that this year the government intends to build another six three-bedroom units, at a cost of more than $1 million. That should be good news to the member, because the government will be putting more Homeswest residents in Merredin. I am sure the member will be pleased.
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