❓ Question regarding eviction of public housing tenants due to antisocial behaviour and whether ill health should be a mitigating factor. Minister defends the government's strict policy and criticises previous ineffective measures.
AnsweredQoN 189Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PUBLIC HOUSING — ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR EVICTIONS
I refer the minister to the recent front-page article in the Kalgoorlie Miner regarding the eviction of a local couple by the Department of Housing for antisocial behaviour. Whilst I feel for the couple, given the large number of people coming through my front door seeking priority housing, I understand the minister’s new policy. Does the minister accept the argument presented in the newspaper article that the couple should retain the property due to their ill health? Mr T.R. BUSWELL
I refer the minister to the recent front-page article in the Kalgoorlie Miner regarding the eviction of a local couple by the Department of Housing for antisocial behaviour. Whilst I feel for the couple, given the large number of people coming through my front door seeking priority housing, I understand the minister’s new policy. Does the minister accept the argument presented in the newspaper article that the couple should retain the property due to their ill health? Mr T.R. BUSWELL
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. The short answer is no; I do not accept the argument in the newspaper. I think this is a very unfortunate circumstance. I read the file notes today about this couple. They have some quite serious health issues, but over a sustained period they have breached what most people would deem to be acceptable standards of behaviour for residents in a community. As a result, their tenancy will not be renewed and they will have to find alternative accommodation outside taxpayer-subsidised housing. I think it is an entirely appropriate outcome. In my view, poor health is not an excuse for antisocial behaviour. In my view, blaming visitors to one’s property is not an acceptable excuse for antisocial behaviour. As this policy is implemented I expect there will be more evictions and we will be defending some of them in the media because they will be seen to be unfair. I noticed yesterday that the WA Council of Social Service, the former home of the member for Maylands, attacked the government for the new policy it has introduced. I do not accept WACOSS’s criticism. I make no apology, as the government makes no apology, and as I think every member on this side of the house makes no apology, for cracking down on antisocial behaviour in public housing. It is quite possibly the single biggest issue backbenchers bring to me as the Minister for Housing—the single biggest issue. Mr A.J. Waddell : Apologise for how long it has taken you to act on it. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will deal with that in a second, thank you, my friend. Like the government, I make no apology for the tougher stance in attempting to restore the balance between tenants and neighbours and for attempting to remind tenants in public housing that with taxpayer funded accommodation comes a mutual obligation. That mutual obligation is quite simply that the community expects those tenants to be good neighbours in the neighbourhood in which we provide that subsidy. I reflect on history because it is always interesting to look at what has happened historically. Mr M.P. Murray : Don’t go back too far. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will not go back too far, member for Collie–Preston; I will go only to those exciting days at the end of 2008 when he changed sides in the Parliament. When we came to office, I looked at the policy to deal with antisocial behaviour in government housing. The fact is, there was none. Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s not true. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: I thank the member for the question. The short answer is no; I do not accept the argument in the newspaper. I think this is a very unfortunate circumstance. I read the file notes today about this couple. They have some quite serious health issues, but over a sustained period they have breached what most people would deem to be acceptable standards of behaviour for residents in a community. As a result, their tenancy will not be renewed and they will have to find alternative accommodation outside taxpayer-subsidised housing. I think it is an entirely appropriate outcome. In my view, poor health is not an excuse for antisocial behaviour. In my view, blaming visitors to one’s property is not an acceptable excuse for antisocial behaviour. As this policy is implemented I expect there will be more evictions and we will be defending some of them in the media because they will be seen to be unfair. I noticed yesterday that the WA Council of Social Service, the former home of the member for Maylands, attacked the government for the new policy it has introduced. I do not accept WACOSS’s criticism. I make no apology, as the government makes no apology, and as I think every member on this side of the house makes no apology, for cracking down on antisocial behaviour in public housing. It is quite possibly the single biggest issue backbenchers bring to me as the Minister for Housing—the single biggest issue. Mr A.J. Waddell : Apologise for how long it has taken you to act on it. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will deal with that in a second, thank you, my friend. Like the government, I make no apology for the tougher stance in attempting to restore the balance between tenants and neighbours and for attempting to remind tenants in public housing that with taxpayer funded accommodation comes a mutual obligation. That mutual obligation is quite simply that the community expects those tenants to be good neighbours in the neighbourhood in which we provide that subsidy. I reflect on history because it is always interesting to look at what has happened historically. Mr M.P. Murray : Don’t go back too far. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will not go back too far, member for Collie–Preston; I will go only to those exciting days at the end of 2008 when he changed sides in the Parliament. When we came to office, I looked at the policy to deal with antisocial behaviour in government housing. The fact is, there was none. Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s not true. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
I thank the member for the question. The short answer is no; I do not accept the argument in the newspaper. I think this is a very unfortunate circumstance. I read the file notes today about this couple. They have some quite serious health issues, but over a sustained period they have breached what most people would deem to be acceptable standards of behaviour for residents in a community. As a result, their tenancy will not be renewed and they will have to find alternative accommodation outside taxpayer-subsidised housing. I think it is an entirely appropriate outcome. In my view, poor health is not an excuse for antisocial behaviour. In my view, blaming visitors to one’s property is not an acceptable excuse for antisocial behaviour. As this policy is implemented I expect there will be more evictions and we will be defending some of them in the media because they will be seen to be unfair. I noticed yesterday that the WA Council of Social Service, the former home of the member for Maylands, attacked the government for the new policy it has introduced. I do not accept WACOSS’s criticism. I make no apology, as the government makes no apology, and as I think every member on this side of the house makes no apology, for cracking down on antisocial behaviour in public housing. It is quite possibly the single biggest issue backbenchers bring to me as the Minister for Housing—the single biggest issue. Mr A.J. Waddell : Apologise for how long it has taken you to act on it. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will deal with that in a second, thank you, my friend. Like the government, I make no apology for the tougher stance in attempting to restore the balance between tenants and neighbours and for attempting to remind tenants in public housing that with taxpayer funded accommodation comes a mutual obligation. That mutual obligation is quite simply that the community expects those tenants to be good neighbours in the neighbourhood in which we provide that subsidy. I reflect on history because it is always interesting to look at what has happened historically. Mr M.P. Murray : Don’t go back too far. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will not go back too far, member for Collie–Preston; I will go only to those exciting days at the end of 2008 when he changed sides in the Parliament. When we came to office, I looked at the policy to deal with antisocial behaviour in government housing. The fact is, there was none. Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s not true. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
I noticed yesterday that the WA Council of Social Service, the former home of the member for Maylands, attacked the government for the new policy it has introduced. I do not accept WACOSS’s criticism. I make no apology, as the government makes no apology, and as I think every member on this side of the house makes no apology, for cracking down on antisocial behaviour in public housing. It is quite possibly the single biggest issue backbenchers bring to me as the Minister for Housing—the single biggest issue. Mr A.J. Waddell : Apologise for how long it has taken you to act on it. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will deal with that in a second, thank you, my friend. Like the government, I make no apology for the tougher stance in attempting to restore the balance between tenants and neighbours and for attempting to remind tenants in public housing that with taxpayer funded accommodation comes a mutual obligation. That mutual obligation is quite simply that the community expects those tenants to be good neighbours in the neighbourhood in which we provide that subsidy. I reflect on history because it is always interesting to look at what has happened historically. Mr M.P. Murray : Don’t go back too far. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will not go back too far, member for Collie–Preston; I will go only to those exciting days at the end of 2008 when he changed sides in the Parliament. When we came to office, I looked at the policy to deal with antisocial behaviour in government housing. The fact is, there was none. Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s not true. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr A.J. Waddell : Apologise for how long it has taken you to act on it. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will deal with that in a second, thank you, my friend. Like the government, I make no apology for the tougher stance in attempting to restore the balance between tenants and neighbours and for attempting to remind tenants in public housing that with taxpayer funded accommodation comes a mutual obligation. That mutual obligation is quite simply that the community expects those tenants to be good neighbours in the neighbourhood in which we provide that subsidy. I reflect on history because it is always interesting to look at what has happened historically. Mr M.P. Murray : Don’t go back too far. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will not go back too far, member for Collie–Preston; I will go only to those exciting days at the end of 2008 when he changed sides in the Parliament. When we came to office, I looked at the policy to deal with antisocial behaviour in government housing. The fact is, there was none. Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s not true. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will deal with that in a second, thank you, my friend. Like the government, I make no apology for the tougher stance in attempting to restore the balance between tenants and neighbours and for attempting to remind tenants in public housing that with taxpayer funded accommodation comes a mutual obligation. That mutual obligation is quite simply that the community expects those tenants to be good neighbours in the neighbourhood in which we provide that subsidy. I reflect on history because it is always interesting to look at what has happened historically. Mr M.P. Murray : Don’t go back too far. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will not go back too far, member for Collie–Preston; I will go only to those exciting days at the end of 2008 when he changed sides in the Parliament. When we came to office, I looked at the policy to deal with antisocial behaviour in government housing. The fact is, there was none. Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s not true. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Like the government, I make no apology for the tougher stance in attempting to restore the balance between tenants and neighbours and for attempting to remind tenants in public housing that with taxpayer funded accommodation comes a mutual obligation. That mutual obligation is quite simply that the community expects those tenants to be good neighbours in the neighbourhood in which we provide that subsidy. I reflect on history because it is always interesting to look at what has happened historically. Mr M.P. Murray : Don’t go back too far. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will not go back too far, member for Collie–Preston; I will go only to those exciting days at the end of 2008 when he changed sides in the Parliament. When we came to office, I looked at the policy to deal with antisocial behaviour in government housing. The fact is, there was none. Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s not true. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
I reflect on history because it is always interesting to look at what has happened historically. Mr M.P. Murray : Don’t go back too far. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will not go back too far, member for Collie–Preston; I will go only to those exciting days at the end of 2008 when he changed sides in the Parliament. When we came to office, I looked at the policy to deal with antisocial behaviour in government housing. The fact is, there was none. Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s not true. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr M.P. Murray : Don’t go back too far. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will not go back too far, member for Collie–Preston; I will go only to those exciting days at the end of 2008 when he changed sides in the Parliament. When we came to office, I looked at the policy to deal with antisocial behaviour in government housing. The fact is, there was none. Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s not true. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will not go back too far, member for Collie–Preston; I will go only to those exciting days at the end of 2008 when he changed sides in the Parliament. When we came to office, I looked at the policy to deal with antisocial behaviour in government housing. The fact is, there was none. Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s not true. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
When we came to office, I looked at the policy to deal with antisocial behaviour in government housing. The fact is, there was none. Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s not true. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s not true. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: I thank the member for the question. The short answer is no; I do not accept the argument in the newspaper. I think this is a very unfortunate circumstance. I read the file notes today about this couple. They have some quite serious health issues, but over a sustained period they have breached what most people would deem to be acceptable standards of behaviour for residents in a community. As a result, their tenancy will not be renewed and they will have to find alternative accommodation outside taxpayer-subsidised housing. I think it is an entirely appropriate outcome. In my view, poor health is not an excuse for antisocial behaviour. In my view, blaming visitors to one’s property is not an acceptable excuse for antisocial behaviour. As this policy is implemented I expect there will be more evictions and we will be defending some of them in the media because they will be seen to be unfair. I noticed yesterday that the WA Council of Social Service, the former home of the member for Maylands, attacked the government for the new policy it has introduced. I do not accept WACOSS’s criticism. I make no apology, as the government makes no apology, and as I think every member on this side of the house makes no apology, for cracking down on antisocial behaviour in public housing. It is quite possibly the single biggest issue backbenchers bring to me as the Minister for Housing—the single biggest issue. Mr A.J. Waddell : Apologise for how long it has taken you to act on it. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will deal with that in a second, thank you, my friend. Like the government, I make no apology for the tougher stance in attempting to restore the balance between tenants and neighbours and for attempting to remind tenants in public housing that with taxpayer funded accommodation comes a mutual obligation. That mutual obligation is quite simply that the community expects those tenants to be good neighbours in the neighbourhood in which we provide that subsidy. I reflect on history because it is always interesting to look at what has happened historically. Mr M.P. Murray : Don’t go back too far. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will not go back too far, member for Collie–Preston; I will go only to those exciting days at the end of 2008 when he changed sides in the Parliament. When we came to office, I looked at the policy to deal with antisocial behaviour in government housing. The fact is, there was none. Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s not true. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
I thank the member for the question. The short answer is no; I do not accept the argument in the newspaper. I think this is a very unfortunate circumstance. I read the file notes today about this couple. They have some quite serious health issues, but over a sustained period they have breached what most people would deem to be acceptable standards of behaviour for residents in a community. As a result, their tenancy will not be renewed and they will have to find alternative accommodation outside taxpayer-subsidised housing. I think it is an entirely appropriate outcome. In my view, poor health is not an excuse for antisocial behaviour. In my view, blaming visitors to one’s property is not an acceptable excuse for antisocial behaviour. As this policy is implemented I expect there will be more evictions and we will be defending some of them in the media because they will be seen to be unfair. I noticed yesterday that the WA Council of Social Service, the former home of the member for Maylands, attacked the government for the new policy it has introduced. I do not accept WACOSS’s criticism. I make no apology, as the government makes no apology, and as I think every member on this side of the house makes no apology, for cracking down on antisocial behaviour in public housing. It is quite possibly the single biggest issue backbenchers bring to me as the Minister for Housing—the single biggest issue. Mr A.J. Waddell : Apologise for how long it has taken you to act on it. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will deal with that in a second, thank you, my friend. Like the government, I make no apology for the tougher stance in attempting to restore the balance between tenants and neighbours and for attempting to remind tenants in public housing that with taxpayer funded accommodation comes a mutual obligation. That mutual obligation is quite simply that the community expects those tenants to be good neighbours in the neighbourhood in which we provide that subsidy. I reflect on history because it is always interesting to look at what has happened historically. Mr M.P. Murray : Don’t go back too far. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will not go back too far, member for Collie–Preston; I will go only to those exciting days at the end of 2008 when he changed sides in the Parliament. When we came to office, I looked at the policy to deal with antisocial behaviour in government housing. The fact is, there was none. Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s not true. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
I noticed yesterday that the WA Council of Social Service, the former home of the member for Maylands, attacked the government for the new policy it has introduced. I do not accept WACOSS’s criticism. I make no apology, as the government makes no apology, and as I think every member on this side of the house makes no apology, for cracking down on antisocial behaviour in public housing. It is quite possibly the single biggest issue backbenchers bring to me as the Minister for Housing—the single biggest issue. Mr A.J. Waddell : Apologise for how long it has taken you to act on it. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will deal with that in a second, thank you, my friend. Like the government, I make no apology for the tougher stance in attempting to restore the balance between tenants and neighbours and for attempting to remind tenants in public housing that with taxpayer funded accommodation comes a mutual obligation. That mutual obligation is quite simply that the community expects those tenants to be good neighbours in the neighbourhood in which we provide that subsidy. I reflect on history because it is always interesting to look at what has happened historically. Mr M.P. Murray : Don’t go back too far. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will not go back too far, member for Collie–Preston; I will go only to those exciting days at the end of 2008 when he changed sides in the Parliament. When we came to office, I looked at the policy to deal with antisocial behaviour in government housing. The fact is, there was none. Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s not true. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr A.J. Waddell : Apologise for how long it has taken you to act on it. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will deal with that in a second, thank you, my friend. Like the government, I make no apology for the tougher stance in attempting to restore the balance between tenants and neighbours and for attempting to remind tenants in public housing that with taxpayer funded accommodation comes a mutual obligation. That mutual obligation is quite simply that the community expects those tenants to be good neighbours in the neighbourhood in which we provide that subsidy. I reflect on history because it is always interesting to look at what has happened historically. Mr M.P. Murray : Don’t go back too far. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will not go back too far, member for Collie–Preston; I will go only to those exciting days at the end of 2008 when he changed sides in the Parliament. When we came to office, I looked at the policy to deal with antisocial behaviour in government housing. The fact is, there was none. Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s not true. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will deal with that in a second, thank you, my friend. Like the government, I make no apology for the tougher stance in attempting to restore the balance between tenants and neighbours and for attempting to remind tenants in public housing that with taxpayer funded accommodation comes a mutual obligation. That mutual obligation is quite simply that the community expects those tenants to be good neighbours in the neighbourhood in which we provide that subsidy. I reflect on history because it is always interesting to look at what has happened historically. Mr M.P. Murray : Don’t go back too far. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will not go back too far, member for Collie–Preston; I will go only to those exciting days at the end of 2008 when he changed sides in the Parliament. When we came to office, I looked at the policy to deal with antisocial behaviour in government housing. The fact is, there was none. Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s not true. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Like the government, I make no apology for the tougher stance in attempting to restore the balance between tenants and neighbours and for attempting to remind tenants in public housing that with taxpayer funded accommodation comes a mutual obligation. That mutual obligation is quite simply that the community expects those tenants to be good neighbours in the neighbourhood in which we provide that subsidy. I reflect on history because it is always interesting to look at what has happened historically. Mr M.P. Murray : Don’t go back too far. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will not go back too far, member for Collie–Preston; I will go only to those exciting days at the end of 2008 when he changed sides in the Parliament. When we came to office, I looked at the policy to deal with antisocial behaviour in government housing. The fact is, there was none. Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s not true. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
I reflect on history because it is always interesting to look at what has happened historically. Mr M.P. Murray : Don’t go back too far. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will not go back too far, member for Collie–Preston; I will go only to those exciting days at the end of 2008 when he changed sides in the Parliament. When we came to office, I looked at the policy to deal with antisocial behaviour in government housing. The fact is, there was none. Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s not true. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr M.P. Murray : Don’t go back too far. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will not go back too far, member for Collie–Preston; I will go only to those exciting days at the end of 2008 when he changed sides in the Parliament. When we came to office, I looked at the policy to deal with antisocial behaviour in government housing. The fact is, there was none. Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s not true. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will not go back too far, member for Collie–Preston; I will go only to those exciting days at the end of 2008 when he changed sides in the Parliament. When we came to office, I looked at the policy to deal with antisocial behaviour in government housing. The fact is, there was none. Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s not true. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
When we came to office, I looked at the policy to deal with antisocial behaviour in government housing. The fact is, there was none. Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s not true. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s not true. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Does the member for Girrawheen not think so? I will tell her what happened: a breach notice would be issued, which was valid for two weeks. All tenants had to do was to keep their heads down for two weeks, and another breach notice would be issued. I found people had more breach notices than Steve Hooker could pole-vault over. Some of the behaviour was outrageous. Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : This government introduced a policy framework called the three-strikes policy framework. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me finish. We introduced a framework that we thought would bring about real reform. Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr P.B. Watson : You know all about hookers! Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Albany might like to withdraw that comment. Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr P.B. WATSON : I withdraw. Questions Without Notice Resumed The SPEAKER : Now that he has withdrawn it, I formally call him to order for the first time, and I call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I point out again to the house that when I was in Albany, the member for Albany got me to meet a group trying to arrange a shelter for homeless men in his town. When I found a location for it, who was leading the charge to oppose it being put in that suburb? It was the member for Albany, that great consistent performer in advancing the rights of the people in his community! He is a weak individual; as soon as someone ran a flag up the pole, he bolted. That is what the member for Albany does. I have a list as long as my arm, and I did not pay for them either, member for Albany. Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Moving on. We introduced the three-strikes policy, which was aimed at improving behavioural outcomes. It has become clear, especially in recent times, that in some cases, it has not delivered the required outcomes. Why was that? Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Has the Premier got a three-strikes policy on you? Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : When some of the Leader of the Opposition’s colleagues learn to count past nine, I think he will be struck over and out. Why did the policy fail? The member for Warnbro is working on it; I have seen him get past 10 recently. The Leader of the Opposition should be nervous. My only bit of advice is: do not get the member for Forrestfield to be the other numbers person! He is terrible. There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
There were significant grey areas in the old policy. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Victoria Park can ask me; I have a bit of experience at it: I was that good I got rid of myself! On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
On top of those grey areas there were some significant inconsistencies in the way the policy was applied. It is clear that change was needed. We have made some changes. I will be frank: if those changes do not deliver the outcomes we are seeking, we will make more changes. I will quickly advise the house of what they are: the setting of three tighter criteria that have associated with them much more severe penalties for inappropriate behaviour as it relates to antisocial behaviour; dangerous criteria that will result in immediate eviction; serious disruptive criteria that will result in eviction after two occurrences in a 12-month period; and a minor disruptive that will result in eviction after three occurrences in a 12-month period. In early May we will introduce a central hotline by which people can make complaints, and a central compliance team to deal with complaints about things that are deemed to be dangerous or serious. Also, in due course some changes will be made to the Residential Tenancies Act, and that will mean that social housing tenants will be subject to a far more stringent set of laws and criteria than private housing tenants. I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
I conclude by saying that it is my expectation that this policy will lead to a significant increase in the number of people being evicted for antisocial behaviour. It is my expectation that there will be potentially more headlines like the one in the Kalgoorlie Miner effectively criticising the government for evicting people. We make no apologies for that. We think this is the sort of change the community requires of us and that we are happy to deliver.
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