❓ Question regarding government action on rental affordability for low-income tenants in regional WA. Answer focuses on the economic situation, the impact on regional communities, and calls for Commonwealth assistance.
AnsweredQoN 509Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Will the minister please tell members - Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr T.G. STEPHENS : Will the minister please tell members what the government is doing to make rental properties more affordable for low-income tenants in regional Western Australia?. Mr F.M. LOGAN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Central Kimberley-Pilbara for his unswerving commitment to affordable housing and for his battling on behalf of low-income earners. One of the side effects of the Gallop government’s economic miracle that is occurring in this state - Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Members opposite do not like to hear it, but it is an economic miracle. As you will be aware, Mr Speaker, one of the downsides of the Gallop government’s economic miracle is the problem associated with rental properties in regional Western Australia. Mr Speaker, you will be well aware that the average price for rental accommodation in Karratha ranges from approximately $650 for a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house up to $800 for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house. The prices for rental properties in Broome, Kalgoorlie and Port Hedland are not quite as high, but they are certainly heading that way. It is a real problem for low to middle-income earners, who are the backbone of those regional towns. It used to be all right for people working in the high-paying resources sector, whether that be the oil and gas sector or the mining sector. However, it was pointed out to me that people who work in shops, domiciled nurses and people such as motor mechanics, tyre fitters and ABC journalists are struggling to pay their rent in places such as Karratha and Port Hedland because of the rental prices in those towns. It is an unfair and unfortunate situation, which is the downside of our economic miracle. I raised this issue recently with the commonwealth government at the joint ministerial meeting of housing, planning and local government ministers in Melbourne. I called on the commonwealth government to look at this issue and regionalise - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members on my left may not be interested in this answer, but I am. I will call to order the next member who speaks. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am surprised that members opposite are not interested in this matter, given how many of them represent regional areas. I would have thought that they would take this issue very seriously. I called on the commonwealth and Senator Kay Patterson to look at the problem facing ordinary low-income earners in regional Western Australia because of the cost of rental properties, and I called on her to give consideration to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance. Commonwealth rental assistance ranges from $49 a week for a single person up to $67 a week for a married couple with three children. When people have to pay up to $800 a week in rent, rental assistance of $67 a week is ridiculous. I have called on the commonwealth government to examine this issue with a view to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance, and to look at the cost of living for low-income earners who are eligible for commonwealth rental assistance in regional towns in Western Australia. I will do the same thing at the national housing conference in October. On top of that, I have written to all regional MPs on both sides of the chamber. I will table a copy of the letter; members will get it shortly. The letter asks them to support my campaign to get some rational approach from the commonwealth to commonwealth rental assistance for low-income earners in regional Western Australia. I would like to know whether the member for Kalgoorlie - he should not turn around and look at the next Leader of the Opposition - will support me in this campaign against the commonwealth. Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr T.G. STEPHENS : Will the minister please tell members what the government is doing to make rental properties more affordable for low-income tenants in regional Western Australia?. Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: I thank the member for Central Kimberley-Pilbara for his unswerving commitment to affordable housing and for his battling on behalf of low-income earners. One of the side effects of the Gallop government’s economic miracle that is occurring in this state - Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Members opposite do not like to hear it, but it is an economic miracle. As you will be aware, Mr Speaker, one of the downsides of the Gallop government’s economic miracle is the problem associated with rental properties in regional Western Australia. Mr Speaker, you will be well aware that the average price for rental accommodation in Karratha ranges from approximately $650 for a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house up to $800 for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house. The prices for rental properties in Broome, Kalgoorlie and Port Hedland are not quite as high, but they are certainly heading that way. It is a real problem for low to middle-income earners, who are the backbone of those regional towns. It used to be all right for people working in the high-paying resources sector, whether that be the oil and gas sector or the mining sector. However, it was pointed out to me that people who work in shops, domiciled nurses and people such as motor mechanics, tyre fitters and ABC journalists are struggling to pay their rent in places such as Karratha and Port Hedland because of the rental prices in those towns. It is an unfair and unfortunate situation, which is the downside of our economic miracle. I raised this issue recently with the commonwealth government at the joint ministerial meeting of housing, planning and local government ministers in Melbourne. I called on the commonwealth government to look at this issue and regionalise - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members on my left may not be interested in this answer, but I am. I will call to order the next member who speaks. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am surprised that members opposite are not interested in this matter, given how many of them represent regional areas. I would have thought that they would take this issue very seriously. I called on the commonwealth and Senator Kay Patterson to look at the problem facing ordinary low-income earners in regional Western Australia because of the cost of rental properties, and I called on her to give consideration to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance. Commonwealth rental assistance ranges from $49 a week for a single person up to $67 a week for a married couple with three children. When people have to pay up to $800 a week in rent, rental assistance of $67 a week is ridiculous. I have called on the commonwealth government to examine this issue with a view to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance, and to look at the cost of living for low-income earners who are eligible for commonwealth rental assistance in regional towns in Western Australia. I will do the same thing at the national housing conference in October. On top of that, I have written to all regional MPs on both sides of the chamber. I will table a copy of the letter; members will get it shortly. The letter asks them to support my campaign to get some rational approach from the commonwealth to commonwealth rental assistance for low-income earners in regional Western Australia. I would like to know whether the member for Kalgoorlie - he should not turn around and look at the next Leader of the Opposition - will support me in this campaign against the commonwealth. Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr T.G. STEPHENS : Will the minister please tell members what the government is doing to make rental properties more affordable for low-income tenants in regional Western Australia?. Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: I thank the member for Central Kimberley-Pilbara for his unswerving commitment to affordable housing and for his battling on behalf of low-income earners. One of the side effects of the Gallop government’s economic miracle that is occurring in this state - Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Members opposite do not like to hear it, but it is an economic miracle. As you will be aware, Mr Speaker, one of the downsides of the Gallop government’s economic miracle is the problem associated with rental properties in regional Western Australia. Mr Speaker, you will be well aware that the average price for rental accommodation in Karratha ranges from approximately $650 for a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house up to $800 for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house. The prices for rental properties in Broome, Kalgoorlie and Port Hedland are not quite as high, but they are certainly heading that way. It is a real problem for low to middle-income earners, who are the backbone of those regional towns. It used to be all right for people working in the high-paying resources sector, whether that be the oil and gas sector or the mining sector. However, it was pointed out to me that people who work in shops, domiciled nurses and people such as motor mechanics, tyre fitters and ABC journalists are struggling to pay their rent in places such as Karratha and Port Hedland because of the rental prices in those towns. It is an unfair and unfortunate situation, which is the downside of our economic miracle. I raised this issue recently with the commonwealth government at the joint ministerial meeting of housing, planning and local government ministers in Melbourne. I called on the commonwealth government to look at this issue and regionalise - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members on my left may not be interested in this answer, but I am. I will call to order the next member who speaks. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am surprised that members opposite are not interested in this matter, given how many of them represent regional areas. I would have thought that they would take this issue very seriously. I called on the commonwealth and Senator Kay Patterson to look at the problem facing ordinary low-income earners in regional Western Australia because of the cost of rental properties, and I called on her to give consideration to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance. Commonwealth rental assistance ranges from $49 a week for a single person up to $67 a week for a married couple with three children. When people have to pay up to $800 a week in rent, rental assistance of $67 a week is ridiculous. I have called on the commonwealth government to examine this issue with a view to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance, and to look at the cost of living for low-income earners who are eligible for commonwealth rental assistance in regional towns in Western Australia. I will do the same thing at the national housing conference in October. On top of that, I have written to all regional MPs on both sides of the chamber. I will table a copy of the letter; members will get it shortly. The letter asks them to support my campaign to get some rational approach from the commonwealth to commonwealth rental assistance for low-income earners in regional Western Australia. I would like to know whether the member for Kalgoorlie - he should not turn around and look at the next Leader of the Opposition - will support me in this campaign against the commonwealth. Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
Mr T.G. STEPHENS : Will the minister please tell members what the government is doing to make rental properties more affordable for low-income tenants in regional Western Australia?. Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: I thank the member for Central Kimberley-Pilbara for his unswerving commitment to affordable housing and for his battling on behalf of low-income earners. One of the side effects of the Gallop government’s economic miracle that is occurring in this state - Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Members opposite do not like to hear it, but it is an economic miracle. As you will be aware, Mr Speaker, one of the downsides of the Gallop government’s economic miracle is the problem associated with rental properties in regional Western Australia. Mr Speaker, you will be well aware that the average price for rental accommodation in Karratha ranges from approximately $650 for a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house up to $800 for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house. The prices for rental properties in Broome, Kalgoorlie and Port Hedland are not quite as high, but they are certainly heading that way. It is a real problem for low to middle-income earners, who are the backbone of those regional towns. It used to be all right for people working in the high-paying resources sector, whether that be the oil and gas sector or the mining sector. However, it was pointed out to me that people who work in shops, domiciled nurses and people such as motor mechanics, tyre fitters and ABC journalists are struggling to pay their rent in places such as Karratha and Port Hedland because of the rental prices in those towns. It is an unfair and unfortunate situation, which is the downside of our economic miracle. I raised this issue recently with the commonwealth government at the joint ministerial meeting of housing, planning and local government ministers in Melbourne. I called on the commonwealth government to look at this issue and regionalise - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members on my left may not be interested in this answer, but I am. I will call to order the next member who speaks. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am surprised that members opposite are not interested in this matter, given how many of them represent regional areas. I would have thought that they would take this issue very seriously. I called on the commonwealth and Senator Kay Patterson to look at the problem facing ordinary low-income earners in regional Western Australia because of the cost of rental properties, and I called on her to give consideration to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance. Commonwealth rental assistance ranges from $49 a week for a single person up to $67 a week for a married couple with three children. When people have to pay up to $800 a week in rent, rental assistance of $67 a week is ridiculous. I have called on the commonwealth government to examine this issue with a view to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance, and to look at the cost of living for low-income earners who are eligible for commonwealth rental assistance in regional towns in Western Australia. I will do the same thing at the national housing conference in October. On top of that, I have written to all regional MPs on both sides of the chamber. I will table a copy of the letter; members will get it shortly. The letter asks them to support my campaign to get some rational approach from the commonwealth to commonwealth rental assistance for low-income earners in regional Western Australia. I would like to know whether the member for Kalgoorlie - he should not turn around and look at the next Leader of the Opposition - will support me in this campaign against the commonwealth. Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: I thank the member for Central Kimberley-Pilbara for his unswerving commitment to affordable housing and for his battling on behalf of low-income earners. One of the side effects of the Gallop government’s economic miracle that is occurring in this state - Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Members opposite do not like to hear it, but it is an economic miracle. As you will be aware, Mr Speaker, one of the downsides of the Gallop government’s economic miracle is the problem associated with rental properties in regional Western Australia. Mr Speaker, you will be well aware that the average price for rental accommodation in Karratha ranges from approximately $650 for a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house up to $800 for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house. The prices for rental properties in Broome, Kalgoorlie and Port Hedland are not quite as high, but they are certainly heading that way. It is a real problem for low to middle-income earners, who are the backbone of those regional towns. It used to be all right for people working in the high-paying resources sector, whether that be the oil and gas sector or the mining sector. However, it was pointed out to me that people who work in shops, domiciled nurses and people such as motor mechanics, tyre fitters and ABC journalists are struggling to pay their rent in places such as Karratha and Port Hedland because of the rental prices in those towns. It is an unfair and unfortunate situation, which is the downside of our economic miracle. I raised this issue recently with the commonwealth government at the joint ministerial meeting of housing, planning and local government ministers in Melbourne. I called on the commonwealth government to look at this issue and regionalise - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members on my left may not be interested in this answer, but I am. I will call to order the next member who speaks. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am surprised that members opposite are not interested in this matter, given how many of them represent regional areas. I would have thought that they would take this issue very seriously. I called on the commonwealth and Senator Kay Patterson to look at the problem facing ordinary low-income earners in regional Western Australia because of the cost of rental properties, and I called on her to give consideration to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance. Commonwealth rental assistance ranges from $49 a week for a single person up to $67 a week for a married couple with three children. When people have to pay up to $800 a week in rent, rental assistance of $67 a week is ridiculous. I have called on the commonwealth government to examine this issue with a view to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance, and to look at the cost of living for low-income earners who are eligible for commonwealth rental assistance in regional towns in Western Australia. I will do the same thing at the national housing conference in October. On top of that, I have written to all regional MPs on both sides of the chamber. I will table a copy of the letter; members will get it shortly. The letter asks them to support my campaign to get some rational approach from the commonwealth to commonwealth rental assistance for low-income earners in regional Western Australia. I would like to know whether the member for Kalgoorlie - he should not turn around and look at the next Leader of the Opposition - will support me in this campaign against the commonwealth. Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
I thank the member for Central Kimberley-Pilbara for his unswerving commitment to affordable housing and for his battling on behalf of low-income earners. One of the side effects of the Gallop government’s economic miracle that is occurring in this state - Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Members opposite do not like to hear it, but it is an economic miracle. As you will be aware, Mr Speaker, one of the downsides of the Gallop government’s economic miracle is the problem associated with rental properties in regional Western Australia. Mr Speaker, you will be well aware that the average price for rental accommodation in Karratha ranges from approximately $650 for a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house up to $800 for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house. The prices for rental properties in Broome, Kalgoorlie and Port Hedland are not quite as high, but they are certainly heading that way. It is a real problem for low to middle-income earners, who are the backbone of those regional towns. It used to be all right for people working in the high-paying resources sector, whether that be the oil and gas sector or the mining sector. However, it was pointed out to me that people who work in shops, domiciled nurses and people such as motor mechanics, tyre fitters and ABC journalists are struggling to pay their rent in places such as Karratha and Port Hedland because of the rental prices in those towns. It is an unfair and unfortunate situation, which is the downside of our economic miracle. I raised this issue recently with the commonwealth government at the joint ministerial meeting of housing, planning and local government ministers in Melbourne. I called on the commonwealth government to look at this issue and regionalise - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members on my left may not be interested in this answer, but I am. I will call to order the next member who speaks. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am surprised that members opposite are not interested in this matter, given how many of them represent regional areas. I would have thought that they would take this issue very seriously. I called on the commonwealth and Senator Kay Patterson to look at the problem facing ordinary low-income earners in regional Western Australia because of the cost of rental properties, and I called on her to give consideration to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance. Commonwealth rental assistance ranges from $49 a week for a single person up to $67 a week for a married couple with three children. When people have to pay up to $800 a week in rent, rental assistance of $67 a week is ridiculous. I have called on the commonwealth government to examine this issue with a view to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance, and to look at the cost of living for low-income earners who are eligible for commonwealth rental assistance in regional towns in Western Australia. I will do the same thing at the national housing conference in October. On top of that, I have written to all regional MPs on both sides of the chamber. I will table a copy of the letter; members will get it shortly. The letter asks them to support my campaign to get some rational approach from the commonwealth to commonwealth rental assistance for low-income earners in regional Western Australia. I would like to know whether the member for Kalgoorlie - he should not turn around and look at the next Leader of the Opposition - will support me in this campaign against the commonwealth. Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Members opposite do not like to hear it, but it is an economic miracle. As you will be aware, Mr Speaker, one of the downsides of the Gallop government’s economic miracle is the problem associated with rental properties in regional Western Australia. Mr Speaker, you will be well aware that the average price for rental accommodation in Karratha ranges from approximately $650 for a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house up to $800 for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house. The prices for rental properties in Broome, Kalgoorlie and Port Hedland are not quite as high, but they are certainly heading that way. It is a real problem for low to middle-income earners, who are the backbone of those regional towns. It used to be all right for people working in the high-paying resources sector, whether that be the oil and gas sector or the mining sector. However, it was pointed out to me that people who work in shops, domiciled nurses and people such as motor mechanics, tyre fitters and ABC journalists are struggling to pay their rent in places such as Karratha and Port Hedland because of the rental prices in those towns. It is an unfair and unfortunate situation, which is the downside of our economic miracle. I raised this issue recently with the commonwealth government at the joint ministerial meeting of housing, planning and local government ministers in Melbourne. I called on the commonwealth government to look at this issue and regionalise - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members on my left may not be interested in this answer, but I am. I will call to order the next member who speaks. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am surprised that members opposite are not interested in this matter, given how many of them represent regional areas. I would have thought that they would take this issue very seriously. I called on the commonwealth and Senator Kay Patterson to look at the problem facing ordinary low-income earners in regional Western Australia because of the cost of rental properties, and I called on her to give consideration to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance. Commonwealth rental assistance ranges from $49 a week for a single person up to $67 a week for a married couple with three children. When people have to pay up to $800 a week in rent, rental assistance of $67 a week is ridiculous. I have called on the commonwealth government to examine this issue with a view to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance, and to look at the cost of living for low-income earners who are eligible for commonwealth rental assistance in regional towns in Western Australia. I will do the same thing at the national housing conference in October. On top of that, I have written to all regional MPs on both sides of the chamber. I will table a copy of the letter; members will get it shortly. The letter asks them to support my campaign to get some rational approach from the commonwealth to commonwealth rental assistance for low-income earners in regional Western Australia. I would like to know whether the member for Kalgoorlie - he should not turn around and look at the next Leader of the Opposition - will support me in this campaign against the commonwealth. Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : Members opposite do not like to hear it, but it is an economic miracle. As you will be aware, Mr Speaker, one of the downsides of the Gallop government’s economic miracle is the problem associated with rental properties in regional Western Australia. Mr Speaker, you will be well aware that the average price for rental accommodation in Karratha ranges from approximately $650 for a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house up to $800 for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house. The prices for rental properties in Broome, Kalgoorlie and Port Hedland are not quite as high, but they are certainly heading that way. It is a real problem for low to middle-income earners, who are the backbone of those regional towns. It used to be all right for people working in the high-paying resources sector, whether that be the oil and gas sector or the mining sector. However, it was pointed out to me that people who work in shops, domiciled nurses and people such as motor mechanics, tyre fitters and ABC journalists are struggling to pay their rent in places such as Karratha and Port Hedland because of the rental prices in those towns. It is an unfair and unfortunate situation, which is the downside of our economic miracle. I raised this issue recently with the commonwealth government at the joint ministerial meeting of housing, planning and local government ministers in Melbourne. I called on the commonwealth government to look at this issue and regionalise - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members on my left may not be interested in this answer, but I am. I will call to order the next member who speaks. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am surprised that members opposite are not interested in this matter, given how many of them represent regional areas. I would have thought that they would take this issue very seriously. I called on the commonwealth and Senator Kay Patterson to look at the problem facing ordinary low-income earners in regional Western Australia because of the cost of rental properties, and I called on her to give consideration to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance. Commonwealth rental assistance ranges from $49 a week for a single person up to $67 a week for a married couple with three children. When people have to pay up to $800 a week in rent, rental assistance of $67 a week is ridiculous. I have called on the commonwealth government to examine this issue with a view to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance, and to look at the cost of living for low-income earners who are eligible for commonwealth rental assistance in regional towns in Western Australia. I will do the same thing at the national housing conference in October. On top of that, I have written to all regional MPs on both sides of the chamber. I will table a copy of the letter; members will get it shortly. The letter asks them to support my campaign to get some rational approach from the commonwealth to commonwealth rental assistance for low-income earners in regional Western Australia. I would like to know whether the member for Kalgoorlie - he should not turn around and look at the next Leader of the Opposition - will support me in this campaign against the commonwealth. Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
I raised this issue recently with the commonwealth government at the joint ministerial meeting of housing, planning and local government ministers in Melbourne. I called on the commonwealth government to look at this issue and regionalise - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members on my left may not be interested in this answer, but I am. I will call to order the next member who speaks. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am surprised that members opposite are not interested in this matter, given how many of them represent regional areas. I would have thought that they would take this issue very seriously. I called on the commonwealth and Senator Kay Patterson to look at the problem facing ordinary low-income earners in regional Western Australia because of the cost of rental properties, and I called on her to give consideration to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance. Commonwealth rental assistance ranges from $49 a week for a single person up to $67 a week for a married couple with three children. When people have to pay up to $800 a week in rent, rental assistance of $67 a week is ridiculous. I have called on the commonwealth government to examine this issue with a view to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance, and to look at the cost of living for low-income earners who are eligible for commonwealth rental assistance in regional towns in Western Australia. I will do the same thing at the national housing conference in October. On top of that, I have written to all regional MPs on both sides of the chamber. I will table a copy of the letter; members will get it shortly. The letter asks them to support my campaign to get some rational approach from the commonwealth to commonwealth rental assistance for low-income earners in regional Western Australia. I would like to know whether the member for Kalgoorlie - he should not turn around and look at the next Leader of the Opposition - will support me in this campaign against the commonwealth. Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members on my left may not be interested in this answer, but I am. I will call to order the next member who speaks. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am surprised that members opposite are not interested in this matter, given how many of them represent regional areas. I would have thought that they would take this issue very seriously. I called on the commonwealth and Senator Kay Patterson to look at the problem facing ordinary low-income earners in regional Western Australia because of the cost of rental properties, and I called on her to give consideration to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance. Commonwealth rental assistance ranges from $49 a week for a single person up to $67 a week for a married couple with three children. When people have to pay up to $800 a week in rent, rental assistance of $67 a week is ridiculous. I have called on the commonwealth government to examine this issue with a view to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance, and to look at the cost of living for low-income earners who are eligible for commonwealth rental assistance in regional towns in Western Australia. I will do the same thing at the national housing conference in October. On top of that, I have written to all regional MPs on both sides of the chamber. I will table a copy of the letter; members will get it shortly. The letter asks them to support my campaign to get some rational approach from the commonwealth to commonwealth rental assistance for low-income earners in regional Western Australia. I would like to know whether the member for Kalgoorlie - he should not turn around and look at the next Leader of the Opposition - will support me in this campaign against the commonwealth. Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
The SPEAKER : Members on my left may not be interested in this answer, but I am. I will call to order the next member who speaks. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am surprised that members opposite are not interested in this matter, given how many of them represent regional areas. I would have thought that they would take this issue very seriously. I called on the commonwealth and Senator Kay Patterson to look at the problem facing ordinary low-income earners in regional Western Australia because of the cost of rental properties, and I called on her to give consideration to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance. Commonwealth rental assistance ranges from $49 a week for a single person up to $67 a week for a married couple with three children. When people have to pay up to $800 a week in rent, rental assistance of $67 a week is ridiculous. I have called on the commonwealth government to examine this issue with a view to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance, and to look at the cost of living for low-income earners who are eligible for commonwealth rental assistance in regional towns in Western Australia. I will do the same thing at the national housing conference in October. On top of that, I have written to all regional MPs on both sides of the chamber. I will table a copy of the letter; members will get it shortly. The letter asks them to support my campaign to get some rational approach from the commonwealth to commonwealth rental assistance for low-income earners in regional Western Australia. I would like to know whether the member for Kalgoorlie - he should not turn around and look at the next Leader of the Opposition - will support me in this campaign against the commonwealth. Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am surprised that members opposite are not interested in this matter, given how many of them represent regional areas. I would have thought that they would take this issue very seriously. I called on the commonwealth and Senator Kay Patterson to look at the problem facing ordinary low-income earners in regional Western Australia because of the cost of rental properties, and I called on her to give consideration to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance. Commonwealth rental assistance ranges from $49 a week for a single person up to $67 a week for a married couple with three children. When people have to pay up to $800 a week in rent, rental assistance of $67 a week is ridiculous. I have called on the commonwealth government to examine this issue with a view to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance, and to look at the cost of living for low-income earners who are eligible for commonwealth rental assistance in regional towns in Western Australia. I will do the same thing at the national housing conference in October. On top of that, I have written to all regional MPs on both sides of the chamber. I will table a copy of the letter; members will get it shortly. The letter asks them to support my campaign to get some rational approach from the commonwealth to commonwealth rental assistance for low-income earners in regional Western Australia. I would like to know whether the member for Kalgoorlie - he should not turn around and look at the next Leader of the Opposition - will support me in this campaign against the commonwealth. Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
[See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr T.G. STEPHENS : Will the minister please tell members what the government is doing to make rental properties more affordable for low-income tenants in regional Western Australia?. Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: I thank the member for Central Kimberley-Pilbara for his unswerving commitment to affordable housing and for his battling on behalf of low-income earners. One of the side effects of the Gallop government’s economic miracle that is occurring in this state - Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Members opposite do not like to hear it, but it is an economic miracle. As you will be aware, Mr Speaker, one of the downsides of the Gallop government’s economic miracle is the problem associated with rental properties in regional Western Australia. Mr Speaker, you will be well aware that the average price for rental accommodation in Karratha ranges from approximately $650 for a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house up to $800 for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house. The prices for rental properties in Broome, Kalgoorlie and Port Hedland are not quite as high, but they are certainly heading that way. It is a real problem for low to middle-income earners, who are the backbone of those regional towns. It used to be all right for people working in the high-paying resources sector, whether that be the oil and gas sector or the mining sector. However, it was pointed out to me that people who work in shops, domiciled nurses and people such as motor mechanics, tyre fitters and ABC journalists are struggling to pay their rent in places such as Karratha and Port Hedland because of the rental prices in those towns. It is an unfair and unfortunate situation, which is the downside of our economic miracle. I raised this issue recently with the commonwealth government at the joint ministerial meeting of housing, planning and local government ministers in Melbourne. I called on the commonwealth government to look at this issue and regionalise - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members on my left may not be interested in this answer, but I am. I will call to order the next member who speaks. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am surprised that members opposite are not interested in this matter, given how many of them represent regional areas. I would have thought that they would take this issue very seriously. I called on the commonwealth and Senator Kay Patterson to look at the problem facing ordinary low-income earners in regional Western Australia because of the cost of rental properties, and I called on her to give consideration to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance. Commonwealth rental assistance ranges from $49 a week for a single person up to $67 a week for a married couple with three children. When people have to pay up to $800 a week in rent, rental assistance of $67 a week is ridiculous. I have called on the commonwealth government to examine this issue with a view to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance, and to look at the cost of living for low-income earners who are eligible for commonwealth rental assistance in regional towns in Western Australia. I will do the same thing at the national housing conference in October. On top of that, I have written to all regional MPs on both sides of the chamber. I will table a copy of the letter; members will get it shortly. The letter asks them to support my campaign to get some rational approach from the commonwealth to commonwealth rental assistance for low-income earners in regional Western Australia. I would like to know whether the member for Kalgoorlie - he should not turn around and look at the next Leader of the Opposition - will support me in this campaign against the commonwealth. Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr T.G. STEPHENS : Will the minister please tell members what the government is doing to make rental properties more affordable for low-income tenants in regional Western Australia?. Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: I thank the member for Central Kimberley-Pilbara for his unswerving commitment to affordable housing and for his battling on behalf of low-income earners. One of the side effects of the Gallop government’s economic miracle that is occurring in this state - Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Members opposite do not like to hear it, but it is an economic miracle. As you will be aware, Mr Speaker, one of the downsides of the Gallop government’s economic miracle is the problem associated with rental properties in regional Western Australia. Mr Speaker, you will be well aware that the average price for rental accommodation in Karratha ranges from approximately $650 for a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house up to $800 for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house. The prices for rental properties in Broome, Kalgoorlie and Port Hedland are not quite as high, but they are certainly heading that way. It is a real problem for low to middle-income earners, who are the backbone of those regional towns. It used to be all right for people working in the high-paying resources sector, whether that be the oil and gas sector or the mining sector. However, it was pointed out to me that people who work in shops, domiciled nurses and people such as motor mechanics, tyre fitters and ABC journalists are struggling to pay their rent in places such as Karratha and Port Hedland because of the rental prices in those towns. It is an unfair and unfortunate situation, which is the downside of our economic miracle. I raised this issue recently with the commonwealth government at the joint ministerial meeting of housing, planning and local government ministers in Melbourne. I called on the commonwealth government to look at this issue and regionalise - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members on my left may not be interested in this answer, but I am. I will call to order the next member who speaks. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am surprised that members opposite are not interested in this matter, given how many of them represent regional areas. I would have thought that they would take this issue very seriously. I called on the commonwealth and Senator Kay Patterson to look at the problem facing ordinary low-income earners in regional Western Australia because of the cost of rental properties, and I called on her to give consideration to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance. Commonwealth rental assistance ranges from $49 a week for a single person up to $67 a week for a married couple with three children. When people have to pay up to $800 a week in rent, rental assistance of $67 a week is ridiculous. I have called on the commonwealth government to examine this issue with a view to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance, and to look at the cost of living for low-income earners who are eligible for commonwealth rental assistance in regional towns in Western Australia. I will do the same thing at the national housing conference in October. On top of that, I have written to all regional MPs on both sides of the chamber. I will table a copy of the letter; members will get it shortly. The letter asks them to support my campaign to get some rational approach from the commonwealth to commonwealth rental assistance for low-income earners in regional Western Australia. I would like to know whether the member for Kalgoorlie - he should not turn around and look at the next Leader of the Opposition - will support me in this campaign against the commonwealth. Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
Mr T.G. STEPHENS : Will the minister please tell members what the government is doing to make rental properties more affordable for low-income tenants in regional Western Australia?. Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: I thank the member for Central Kimberley-Pilbara for his unswerving commitment to affordable housing and for his battling on behalf of low-income earners. One of the side effects of the Gallop government’s economic miracle that is occurring in this state - Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Members opposite do not like to hear it, but it is an economic miracle. As you will be aware, Mr Speaker, one of the downsides of the Gallop government’s economic miracle is the problem associated with rental properties in regional Western Australia. Mr Speaker, you will be well aware that the average price for rental accommodation in Karratha ranges from approximately $650 for a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house up to $800 for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house. The prices for rental properties in Broome, Kalgoorlie and Port Hedland are not quite as high, but they are certainly heading that way. It is a real problem for low to middle-income earners, who are the backbone of those regional towns. It used to be all right for people working in the high-paying resources sector, whether that be the oil and gas sector or the mining sector. However, it was pointed out to me that people who work in shops, domiciled nurses and people such as motor mechanics, tyre fitters and ABC journalists are struggling to pay their rent in places such as Karratha and Port Hedland because of the rental prices in those towns. It is an unfair and unfortunate situation, which is the downside of our economic miracle. I raised this issue recently with the commonwealth government at the joint ministerial meeting of housing, planning and local government ministers in Melbourne. I called on the commonwealth government to look at this issue and regionalise - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members on my left may not be interested in this answer, but I am. I will call to order the next member who speaks. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am surprised that members opposite are not interested in this matter, given how many of them represent regional areas. I would have thought that they would take this issue very seriously. I called on the commonwealth and Senator Kay Patterson to look at the problem facing ordinary low-income earners in regional Western Australia because of the cost of rental properties, and I called on her to give consideration to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance. Commonwealth rental assistance ranges from $49 a week for a single person up to $67 a week for a married couple with three children. When people have to pay up to $800 a week in rent, rental assistance of $67 a week is ridiculous. I have called on the commonwealth government to examine this issue with a view to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance, and to look at the cost of living for low-income earners who are eligible for commonwealth rental assistance in regional towns in Western Australia. I will do the same thing at the national housing conference in October. On top of that, I have written to all regional MPs on both sides of the chamber. I will table a copy of the letter; members will get it shortly. The letter asks them to support my campaign to get some rational approach from the commonwealth to commonwealth rental assistance for low-income earners in regional Western Australia. I would like to know whether the member for Kalgoorlie - he should not turn around and look at the next Leader of the Opposition - will support me in this campaign against the commonwealth. Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: I thank the member for Central Kimberley-Pilbara for his unswerving commitment to affordable housing and for his battling on behalf of low-income earners. One of the side effects of the Gallop government’s economic miracle that is occurring in this state - Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Members opposite do not like to hear it, but it is an economic miracle. As you will be aware, Mr Speaker, one of the downsides of the Gallop government’s economic miracle is the problem associated with rental properties in regional Western Australia. Mr Speaker, you will be well aware that the average price for rental accommodation in Karratha ranges from approximately $650 for a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house up to $800 for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house. The prices for rental properties in Broome, Kalgoorlie and Port Hedland are not quite as high, but they are certainly heading that way. It is a real problem for low to middle-income earners, who are the backbone of those regional towns. It used to be all right for people working in the high-paying resources sector, whether that be the oil and gas sector or the mining sector. However, it was pointed out to me that people who work in shops, domiciled nurses and people such as motor mechanics, tyre fitters and ABC journalists are struggling to pay their rent in places such as Karratha and Port Hedland because of the rental prices in those towns. It is an unfair and unfortunate situation, which is the downside of our economic miracle. I raised this issue recently with the commonwealth government at the joint ministerial meeting of housing, planning and local government ministers in Melbourne. I called on the commonwealth government to look at this issue and regionalise - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members on my left may not be interested in this answer, but I am. I will call to order the next member who speaks. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am surprised that members opposite are not interested in this matter, given how many of them represent regional areas. I would have thought that they would take this issue very seriously. I called on the commonwealth and Senator Kay Patterson to look at the problem facing ordinary low-income earners in regional Western Australia because of the cost of rental properties, and I called on her to give consideration to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance. Commonwealth rental assistance ranges from $49 a week for a single person up to $67 a week for a married couple with three children. When people have to pay up to $800 a week in rent, rental assistance of $67 a week is ridiculous. I have called on the commonwealth government to examine this issue with a view to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance, and to look at the cost of living for low-income earners who are eligible for commonwealth rental assistance in regional towns in Western Australia. I will do the same thing at the national housing conference in October. On top of that, I have written to all regional MPs on both sides of the chamber. I will table a copy of the letter; members will get it shortly. The letter asks them to support my campaign to get some rational approach from the commonwealth to commonwealth rental assistance for low-income earners in regional Western Australia. I would like to know whether the member for Kalgoorlie - he should not turn around and look at the next Leader of the Opposition - will support me in this campaign against the commonwealth. Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
I thank the member for Central Kimberley-Pilbara for his unswerving commitment to affordable housing and for his battling on behalf of low-income earners. One of the side effects of the Gallop government’s economic miracle that is occurring in this state - Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Members opposite do not like to hear it, but it is an economic miracle. As you will be aware, Mr Speaker, one of the downsides of the Gallop government’s economic miracle is the problem associated with rental properties in regional Western Australia. Mr Speaker, you will be well aware that the average price for rental accommodation in Karratha ranges from approximately $650 for a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house up to $800 for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house. The prices for rental properties in Broome, Kalgoorlie and Port Hedland are not quite as high, but they are certainly heading that way. It is a real problem for low to middle-income earners, who are the backbone of those regional towns. It used to be all right for people working in the high-paying resources sector, whether that be the oil and gas sector or the mining sector. However, it was pointed out to me that people who work in shops, domiciled nurses and people such as motor mechanics, tyre fitters and ABC journalists are struggling to pay their rent in places such as Karratha and Port Hedland because of the rental prices in those towns. It is an unfair and unfortunate situation, which is the downside of our economic miracle. I raised this issue recently with the commonwealth government at the joint ministerial meeting of housing, planning and local government ministers in Melbourne. I called on the commonwealth government to look at this issue and regionalise - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members on my left may not be interested in this answer, but I am. I will call to order the next member who speaks. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am surprised that members opposite are not interested in this matter, given how many of them represent regional areas. I would have thought that they would take this issue very seriously. I called on the commonwealth and Senator Kay Patterson to look at the problem facing ordinary low-income earners in regional Western Australia because of the cost of rental properties, and I called on her to give consideration to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance. Commonwealth rental assistance ranges from $49 a week for a single person up to $67 a week for a married couple with three children. When people have to pay up to $800 a week in rent, rental assistance of $67 a week is ridiculous. I have called on the commonwealth government to examine this issue with a view to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance, and to look at the cost of living for low-income earners who are eligible for commonwealth rental assistance in regional towns in Western Australia. I will do the same thing at the national housing conference in October. On top of that, I have written to all regional MPs on both sides of the chamber. I will table a copy of the letter; members will get it shortly. The letter asks them to support my campaign to get some rational approach from the commonwealth to commonwealth rental assistance for low-income earners in regional Western Australia. I would like to know whether the member for Kalgoorlie - he should not turn around and look at the next Leader of the Opposition - will support me in this campaign against the commonwealth. Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
Several members interjected. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Members opposite do not like to hear it, but it is an economic miracle. As you will be aware, Mr Speaker, one of the downsides of the Gallop government’s economic miracle is the problem associated with rental properties in regional Western Australia. Mr Speaker, you will be well aware that the average price for rental accommodation in Karratha ranges from approximately $650 for a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house up to $800 for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house. The prices for rental properties in Broome, Kalgoorlie and Port Hedland are not quite as high, but they are certainly heading that way. It is a real problem for low to middle-income earners, who are the backbone of those regional towns. It used to be all right for people working in the high-paying resources sector, whether that be the oil and gas sector or the mining sector. However, it was pointed out to me that people who work in shops, domiciled nurses and people such as motor mechanics, tyre fitters and ABC journalists are struggling to pay their rent in places such as Karratha and Port Hedland because of the rental prices in those towns. It is an unfair and unfortunate situation, which is the downside of our economic miracle. I raised this issue recently with the commonwealth government at the joint ministerial meeting of housing, planning and local government ministers in Melbourne. I called on the commonwealth government to look at this issue and regionalise - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members on my left may not be interested in this answer, but I am. I will call to order the next member who speaks. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am surprised that members opposite are not interested in this matter, given how many of them represent regional areas. I would have thought that they would take this issue very seriously. I called on the commonwealth and Senator Kay Patterson to look at the problem facing ordinary low-income earners in regional Western Australia because of the cost of rental properties, and I called on her to give consideration to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance. Commonwealth rental assistance ranges from $49 a week for a single person up to $67 a week for a married couple with three children. When people have to pay up to $800 a week in rent, rental assistance of $67 a week is ridiculous. I have called on the commonwealth government to examine this issue with a view to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance, and to look at the cost of living for low-income earners who are eligible for commonwealth rental assistance in regional towns in Western Australia. I will do the same thing at the national housing conference in October. On top of that, I have written to all regional MPs on both sides of the chamber. I will table a copy of the letter; members will get it shortly. The letter asks them to support my campaign to get some rational approach from the commonwealth to commonwealth rental assistance for low-income earners in regional Western Australia. I would like to know whether the member for Kalgoorlie - he should not turn around and look at the next Leader of the Opposition - will support me in this campaign against the commonwealth. Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : Members opposite do not like to hear it, but it is an economic miracle. As you will be aware, Mr Speaker, one of the downsides of the Gallop government’s economic miracle is the problem associated with rental properties in regional Western Australia. Mr Speaker, you will be well aware that the average price for rental accommodation in Karratha ranges from approximately $650 for a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house up to $800 for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house. The prices for rental properties in Broome, Kalgoorlie and Port Hedland are not quite as high, but they are certainly heading that way. It is a real problem for low to middle-income earners, who are the backbone of those regional towns. It used to be all right for people working in the high-paying resources sector, whether that be the oil and gas sector or the mining sector. However, it was pointed out to me that people who work in shops, domiciled nurses and people such as motor mechanics, tyre fitters and ABC journalists are struggling to pay their rent in places such as Karratha and Port Hedland because of the rental prices in those towns. It is an unfair and unfortunate situation, which is the downside of our economic miracle. I raised this issue recently with the commonwealth government at the joint ministerial meeting of housing, planning and local government ministers in Melbourne. I called on the commonwealth government to look at this issue and regionalise - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members on my left may not be interested in this answer, but I am. I will call to order the next member who speaks. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am surprised that members opposite are not interested in this matter, given how many of them represent regional areas. I would have thought that they would take this issue very seriously. I called on the commonwealth and Senator Kay Patterson to look at the problem facing ordinary low-income earners in regional Western Australia because of the cost of rental properties, and I called on her to give consideration to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance. Commonwealth rental assistance ranges from $49 a week for a single person up to $67 a week for a married couple with three children. When people have to pay up to $800 a week in rent, rental assistance of $67 a week is ridiculous. I have called on the commonwealth government to examine this issue with a view to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance, and to look at the cost of living for low-income earners who are eligible for commonwealth rental assistance in regional towns in Western Australia. I will do the same thing at the national housing conference in October. On top of that, I have written to all regional MPs on both sides of the chamber. I will table a copy of the letter; members will get it shortly. The letter asks them to support my campaign to get some rational approach from the commonwealth to commonwealth rental assistance for low-income earners in regional Western Australia. I would like to know whether the member for Kalgoorlie - he should not turn around and look at the next Leader of the Opposition - will support me in this campaign against the commonwealth. Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
I raised this issue recently with the commonwealth government at the joint ministerial meeting of housing, planning and local government ministers in Melbourne. I called on the commonwealth government to look at this issue and regionalise - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members on my left may not be interested in this answer, but I am. I will call to order the next member who speaks. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am surprised that members opposite are not interested in this matter, given how many of them represent regional areas. I would have thought that they would take this issue very seriously. I called on the commonwealth and Senator Kay Patterson to look at the problem facing ordinary low-income earners in regional Western Australia because of the cost of rental properties, and I called on her to give consideration to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance. Commonwealth rental assistance ranges from $49 a week for a single person up to $67 a week for a married couple with three children. When people have to pay up to $800 a week in rent, rental assistance of $67 a week is ridiculous. I have called on the commonwealth government to examine this issue with a view to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance, and to look at the cost of living for low-income earners who are eligible for commonwealth rental assistance in regional towns in Western Australia. I will do the same thing at the national housing conference in October. On top of that, I have written to all regional MPs on both sides of the chamber. I will table a copy of the letter; members will get it shortly. The letter asks them to support my campaign to get some rational approach from the commonwealth to commonwealth rental assistance for low-income earners in regional Western Australia. I would like to know whether the member for Kalgoorlie - he should not turn around and look at the next Leader of the Opposition - will support me in this campaign against the commonwealth. Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members on my left may not be interested in this answer, but I am. I will call to order the next member who speaks. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am surprised that members opposite are not interested in this matter, given how many of them represent regional areas. I would have thought that they would take this issue very seriously. I called on the commonwealth and Senator Kay Patterson to look at the problem facing ordinary low-income earners in regional Western Australia because of the cost of rental properties, and I called on her to give consideration to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance. Commonwealth rental assistance ranges from $49 a week for a single person up to $67 a week for a married couple with three children. When people have to pay up to $800 a week in rent, rental assistance of $67 a week is ridiculous. I have called on the commonwealth government to examine this issue with a view to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance, and to look at the cost of living for low-income earners who are eligible for commonwealth rental assistance in regional towns in Western Australia. I will do the same thing at the national housing conference in October. On top of that, I have written to all regional MPs on both sides of the chamber. I will table a copy of the letter; members will get it shortly. The letter asks them to support my campaign to get some rational approach from the commonwealth to commonwealth rental assistance for low-income earners in regional Western Australia. I would like to know whether the member for Kalgoorlie - he should not turn around and look at the next Leader of the Opposition - will support me in this campaign against the commonwealth. Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
The SPEAKER : Members on my left may not be interested in this answer, but I am. I will call to order the next member who speaks. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am surprised that members opposite are not interested in this matter, given how many of them represent regional areas. I would have thought that they would take this issue very seriously. I called on the commonwealth and Senator Kay Patterson to look at the problem facing ordinary low-income earners in regional Western Australia because of the cost of rental properties, and I called on her to give consideration to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance. Commonwealth rental assistance ranges from $49 a week for a single person up to $67 a week for a married couple with three children. When people have to pay up to $800 a week in rent, rental assistance of $67 a week is ridiculous. I have called on the commonwealth government to examine this issue with a view to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance, and to look at the cost of living for low-income earners who are eligible for commonwealth rental assistance in regional towns in Western Australia. I will do the same thing at the national housing conference in October. On top of that, I have written to all regional MPs on both sides of the chamber. I will table a copy of the letter; members will get it shortly. The letter asks them to support my campaign to get some rational approach from the commonwealth to commonwealth rental assistance for low-income earners in regional Western Australia. I would like to know whether the member for Kalgoorlie - he should not turn around and look at the next Leader of the Opposition - will support me in this campaign against the commonwealth. Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am surprised that members opposite are not interested in this matter, given how many of them represent regional areas. I would have thought that they would take this issue very seriously. I called on the commonwealth and Senator Kay Patterson to look at the problem facing ordinary low-income earners in regional Western Australia because of the cost of rental properties, and I called on her to give consideration to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance. Commonwealth rental assistance ranges from $49 a week for a single person up to $67 a week for a married couple with three children. When people have to pay up to $800 a week in rent, rental assistance of $67 a week is ridiculous. I have called on the commonwealth government to examine this issue with a view to regionalising commonwealth rental assistance, and to look at the cost of living for low-income earners who are eligible for commonwealth rental assistance in regional towns in Western Australia. I will do the same thing at the national housing conference in October. On top of that, I have written to all regional MPs on both sides of the chamber. I will table a copy of the letter; members will get it shortly. The letter asks them to support my campaign to get some rational approach from the commonwealth to commonwealth rental assistance for low-income earners in regional Western Australia. I would like to know whether the member for Kalgoorlie - he should not turn around and look at the next Leader of the Opposition - will support me in this campaign against the commonwealth. Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
Mr M.J. Birney : I will wait by my letterbox. Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : Will he? That is a typical response. Once again I have asked the member for Kalgoorlie to stand up for Western Australia by supporting our campaign. I have asked him to stand up for regional Western Australia, and Mr 10 per cent cannot do it. Mr 10 per cent goes weak at the knees once again. He is a disgrace. I table the letter. [See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
[See paper 779.] Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
The SPEAKER : It is impossible to give the call while members are yapping on mindlessly in the chamber.
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