❓ A parliamentary question regarding the accuracy of public housing waiting list figures, with the Minister providing data to refute Opposition claims and highlight government achievements in reducing waiting times and improving housing quality.
AnsweredQoN 8Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I note that the Opposition claims that the number of names on the Ministry for Housing waiting list for public housing could be as high as 25 000. Will the minister tell the House the true status of the public housing waiting list in Western Australia? Dr HAMES
AnswerView source ↗
I was amazed when Hon Ken Travers went to the Press with the claim that our waiting list contains as many as 25 000 names. I asked from where he got that figure, and I was told by the journalist concerned that Mr Travers had gleaned it anecdotally. I do not know whether the member spoke to 25 000 people. Waiting lists and times have reduced considerably under this Government's administration. In the last years of the Labor Government, the waiting list for public housing contained 17 766 names. By the end of last year that figure had fallen dramatically to 13 815, and the figure as at June this year was 12 879 names, which is nearly 1 000 fewer. That figure is still higher than the Government would like. One of the problems has been the New Living program. Members opposite know that it has been amazingly successful because many of their constituents have enjoyed its benefits. The program has involved the demolition of large numbers of multi-storey flats throughout the metropolitan area. Moving the residents of those flats out into alternative accommodation has made it more difficult to house other people. As part of that program, the quality of housing in both the metropolitan and regional areas has been significantly upgraded. We have also managed to reduce waiting times. In 1993-94, just after the Labor Party went out of office, the waiting time was nineteen and a half months, with 52 per cent of applicants being housed within one year. By 1999-2000, the waiting time was thirteen and a quarter months, with 64 per cent of applicants being housed within one year. As members can see, Hon Ken Travers has no idea of the waiting times in this State. Anecdotal evidence is not good enough. Ms Anwyl: Give us the figures. Dr HAMES: I just gave those figures. The latest figure is 12 879 applicants compared with 17 765 applicants during the last years of the Labor Government. In closing, I make an announcement about the New Living program. This year it won the international United Nations World Habitat Award, which is provided for quality housing. That is a tremendous achievement. Government members: Hear, hear!
Dr HAMES replied: I was amazed when Hon Ken Travers went to the Press with the claim that our waiting list contains as many as 25 000 names. I asked from where he got that figure, and I was told by the journalist concerned that Mr Travers had gleaned it anecdotally. I do not know whether the member spoke to 25 000 people. Waiting lists and times have reduced considerably under this Government's administration. In the last years of the Labor Government, the waiting list for public housing contained 17 766 names. By the end of last year that figure had fallen dramatically to 13 815, and the figure as at June this year was 12 879 names, which is nearly 1 000 fewer. That figure is still higher than the Government would like. One of the problems has been the New Living program. Members opposite know that it has been amazingly successful because many of their constituents have enjoyed its benefits. The program has involved the demolition of large numbers of multi-storey flats throughout the metropolitan area. Moving the residents of those flats out into alternative accommodation has made it more difficult to house other people. As part of that program, the quality of housing in both the metropolitan and regional areas has been significantly upgraded. We have also managed to reduce waiting times. In 1993-94, just after the Labor Party went out of office, the waiting time was nineteen and a half months, with 52 per cent of applicants being housed within one year. By 1999-2000, the waiting time was thirteen and a quarter months, with 64 per cent of applicants being housed within one year. As members can see, Hon Ken Travers has no idea of the waiting times in this State. Anecdotal evidence is not good enough. Ms Anwyl: Give us the figures. Dr HAMES: I just gave those figures. The latest figure is 12 879 applicants compared with 17 765 applicants during the last years of the Labor Government. In closing, I make an announcement about the New Living program. This year it won the international United Nations World Habitat Award, which is provided for quality housing. That is a tremendous achievement. Government members: Hear, hear!
I was amazed when Hon Ken Travers went to the Press with the claim that our waiting list contains as many as 25 000 names. I asked from where he got that figure, and I was told by the journalist concerned that Mr Travers had gleaned it anecdotally. I do not know whether the member spoke to 25 000 people. Waiting lists and times have reduced considerably under this Government's administration. In the last years of the Labor Government, the waiting list for public housing contained 17 766 names. By the end of last year that figure had fallen dramatically to 13 815, and the figure as at June this year was 12 879 names, which is nearly 1 000 fewer. That figure is still higher than the Government would like. One of the problems has been the New Living program. Members opposite know that it has been amazingly successful because many of their constituents have enjoyed its benefits. The program has involved the demolition of large numbers of multi-storey flats throughout the metropolitan area. Moving the residents of those flats out into alternative accommodation has made it more difficult to house other people. As part of that program, the quality of housing in both the metropolitan and regional areas has been significantly upgraded. We have also managed to reduce waiting times. In 1993-94, just after the Labor Party went out of office, the waiting time was nineteen and a half months, with 52 per cent of applicants being housed within one year. By 1999-2000, the waiting time was thirteen and a quarter months, with 64 per cent of applicants being housed within one year. As members can see, Hon Ken Travers has no idea of the waiting times in this State. Anecdotal evidence is not good enough. Ms Anwyl: Give us the figures. Dr HAMES: I just gave those figures. The latest figure is 12 879 applicants compared with 17 765 applicants during the last years of the Labor Government. In closing, I make an announcement about the New Living program. This year it won the international United Nations World Habitat Award, which is provided for quality housing. That is a tremendous achievement. Government members: Hear, hear!
Waiting lists and times have reduced considerably under this Government's administration. In the last years of the Labor Government, the waiting list for public housing contained 17 766 names. By the end of last year that figure had fallen dramatically to 13 815, and the figure as at June this year was 12 879 names, which is nearly 1 000 fewer. That figure is still higher than the Government would like. One of the problems has been the New Living program. Members opposite know that it has been amazingly successful because many of their constituents have enjoyed its benefits. The program has involved the demolition of large numbers of multi-storey flats throughout the metropolitan area. Moving the residents of those flats out into alternative accommodation has made it more difficult to house other people. As part of that program, the quality of housing in both the metropolitan and regional areas has been significantly upgraded. We have also managed to reduce waiting times. In 1993-94, just after the Labor Party went out of office, the waiting time was nineteen and a half months, with 52 per cent of applicants being housed within one year. By 1999-2000, the waiting time was thirteen and a quarter months, with 64 per cent of applicants being housed within one year. As members can see, Hon Ken Travers has no idea of the waiting times in this State. Anecdotal evidence is not good enough. Ms Anwyl: Give us the figures. Dr HAMES: I just gave those figures. The latest figure is 12 879 applicants compared with 17 765 applicants during the last years of the Labor Government. In closing, I make an announcement about the New Living program. This year it won the international United Nations World Habitat Award, which is provided for quality housing. That is a tremendous achievement. Government members: Hear, hear!
As part of that program, the quality of housing in both the metropolitan and regional areas has been significantly upgraded. We have also managed to reduce waiting times. In 1993-94, just after the Labor Party went out of office, the waiting time was nineteen and a half months, with 52 per cent of applicants being housed within one year. By 1999-2000, the waiting time was thirteen and a quarter months, with 64 per cent of applicants being housed within one year. As members can see, Hon Ken Travers has no idea of the waiting times in this State. Anecdotal evidence is not good enough. Ms Anwyl: Give us the figures. Dr HAMES: I just gave those figures. The latest figure is 12 879 applicants compared with 17 765 applicants during the last years of the Labor Government. In closing, I make an announcement about the New Living program. This year it won the international United Nations World Habitat Award, which is provided for quality housing. That is a tremendous achievement. Government members: Hear, hear!
Ms Anwyl: Give us the figures. Dr HAMES: I just gave those figures. The latest figure is 12 879 applicants compared with 17 765 applicants during the last years of the Labor Government. In closing, I make an announcement about the New Living program. This year it won the international United Nations World Habitat Award, which is provided for quality housing. That is a tremendous achievement. Government members: Hear, hear!
Dr HAMES: I just gave those figures. The latest figure is 12 879 applicants compared with 17 765 applicants during the last years of the Labor Government. In closing, I make an announcement about the New Living program. This year it won the international United Nations World Habitat Award, which is provided for quality housing. That is a tremendous achievement. Government members: Hear, hear!
In closing, I make an announcement about the New Living program. This year it won the international United Nations World Habitat Award, which is provided for quality housing. That is a tremendous achievement. Government members: Hear, hear!
Government members: Hear, hear!
Dr HAMES replied: I was amazed when Hon Ken Travers went to the Press with the claim that our waiting list contains as many as 25 000 names. I asked from where he got that figure, and I was told by the journalist concerned that Mr Travers had gleaned it anecdotally. I do not know whether the member spoke to 25 000 people. Waiting lists and times have reduced considerably under this Government's administration. In the last years of the Labor Government, the waiting list for public housing contained 17 766 names. By the end of last year that figure had fallen dramatically to 13 815, and the figure as at June this year was 12 879 names, which is nearly 1 000 fewer. That figure is still higher than the Government would like. One of the problems has been the New Living program. Members opposite know that it has been amazingly successful because many of their constituents have enjoyed its benefits. The program has involved the demolition of large numbers of multi-storey flats throughout the metropolitan area. Moving the residents of those flats out into alternative accommodation has made it more difficult to house other people. As part of that program, the quality of housing in both the metropolitan and regional areas has been significantly upgraded. We have also managed to reduce waiting times. In 1993-94, just after the Labor Party went out of office, the waiting time was nineteen and a half months, with 52 per cent of applicants being housed within one year. By 1999-2000, the waiting time was thirteen and a quarter months, with 64 per cent of applicants being housed within one year. As members can see, Hon Ken Travers has no idea of the waiting times in this State. Anecdotal evidence is not good enough. Ms Anwyl: Give us the figures. Dr HAMES: I just gave those figures. The latest figure is 12 879 applicants compared with 17 765 applicants during the last years of the Labor Government. In closing, I make an announcement about the New Living program. This year it won the international United Nations World Habitat Award, which is provided for quality housing. That is a tremendous achievement. Government members: Hear, hear!
I was amazed when Hon Ken Travers went to the Press with the claim that our waiting list contains as many as 25 000 names. I asked from where he got that figure, and I was told by the journalist concerned that Mr Travers had gleaned it anecdotally. I do not know whether the member spoke to 25 000 people. Waiting lists and times have reduced considerably under this Government's administration. In the last years of the Labor Government, the waiting list for public housing contained 17 766 names. By the end of last year that figure had fallen dramatically to 13 815, and the figure as at June this year was 12 879 names, which is nearly 1 000 fewer. That figure is still higher than the Government would like. One of the problems has been the New Living program. Members opposite know that it has been amazingly successful because many of their constituents have enjoyed its benefits. The program has involved the demolition of large numbers of multi-storey flats throughout the metropolitan area. Moving the residents of those flats out into alternative accommodation has made it more difficult to house other people. As part of that program, the quality of housing in both the metropolitan and regional areas has been significantly upgraded. We have also managed to reduce waiting times. In 1993-94, just after the Labor Party went out of office, the waiting time was nineteen and a half months, with 52 per cent of applicants being housed within one year. By 1999-2000, the waiting time was thirteen and a quarter months, with 64 per cent of applicants being housed within one year. As members can see, Hon Ken Travers has no idea of the waiting times in this State. Anecdotal evidence is not good enough. Ms Anwyl: Give us the figures. Dr HAMES: I just gave those figures. The latest figure is 12 879 applicants compared with 17 765 applicants during the last years of the Labor Government. In closing, I make an announcement about the New Living program. This year it won the international United Nations World Habitat Award, which is provided for quality housing. That is a tremendous achievement. Government members: Hear, hear!
Waiting lists and times have reduced considerably under this Government's administration. In the last years of the Labor Government, the waiting list for public housing contained 17 766 names. By the end of last year that figure had fallen dramatically to 13 815, and the figure as at June this year was 12 879 names, which is nearly 1 000 fewer. That figure is still higher than the Government would like. One of the problems has been the New Living program. Members opposite know that it has been amazingly successful because many of their constituents have enjoyed its benefits. The program has involved the demolition of large numbers of multi-storey flats throughout the metropolitan area. Moving the residents of those flats out into alternative accommodation has made it more difficult to house other people. As part of that program, the quality of housing in both the metropolitan and regional areas has been significantly upgraded. We have also managed to reduce waiting times. In 1993-94, just after the Labor Party went out of office, the waiting time was nineteen and a half months, with 52 per cent of applicants being housed within one year. By 1999-2000, the waiting time was thirteen and a quarter months, with 64 per cent of applicants being housed within one year. As members can see, Hon Ken Travers has no idea of the waiting times in this State. Anecdotal evidence is not good enough. Ms Anwyl: Give us the figures. Dr HAMES: I just gave those figures. The latest figure is 12 879 applicants compared with 17 765 applicants during the last years of the Labor Government. In closing, I make an announcement about the New Living program. This year it won the international United Nations World Habitat Award, which is provided for quality housing. That is a tremendous achievement. Government members: Hear, hear!
As part of that program, the quality of housing in both the metropolitan and regional areas has been significantly upgraded. We have also managed to reduce waiting times. In 1993-94, just after the Labor Party went out of office, the waiting time was nineteen and a half months, with 52 per cent of applicants being housed within one year. By 1999-2000, the waiting time was thirteen and a quarter months, with 64 per cent of applicants being housed within one year. As members can see, Hon Ken Travers has no idea of the waiting times in this State. Anecdotal evidence is not good enough. Ms Anwyl: Give us the figures. Dr HAMES: I just gave those figures. The latest figure is 12 879 applicants compared with 17 765 applicants during the last years of the Labor Government. In closing, I make an announcement about the New Living program. This year it won the international United Nations World Habitat Award, which is provided for quality housing. That is a tremendous achievement. Government members: Hear, hear!
Ms Anwyl: Give us the figures. Dr HAMES: I just gave those figures. The latest figure is 12 879 applicants compared with 17 765 applicants during the last years of the Labor Government. In closing, I make an announcement about the New Living program. This year it won the international United Nations World Habitat Award, which is provided for quality housing. That is a tremendous achievement. Government members: Hear, hear!
Dr HAMES: I just gave those figures. The latest figure is 12 879 applicants compared with 17 765 applicants during the last years of the Labor Government. In closing, I make an announcement about the New Living program. This year it won the international United Nations World Habitat Award, which is provided for quality housing. That is a tremendous achievement. Government members: Hear, hear!
In closing, I make an announcement about the New Living program. This year it won the international United Nations World Habitat Award, which is provided for quality housing. That is a tremendous achievement. Government members: Hear, hear!
Government members: Hear, hear!
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