❓ Ms. Warr asks the Minister for Housing and Works to consider a statewide review of social housing tenancy and management to address antisocial behaviour. The Minister accuses the opposition of stigmatising social housing residents and defends the government's approach.
AnsweredQoN 137Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Social housing—Inglewood
137. Ms Kirrilee Warr to the Minister for Housing and Works:
I note the minister
has called for a review into tenancy make-up at social housing in Inglewood. Noting
that antisocial behaviour around social housing residents is not limited to the
suburb of Inglewood, will the minister ensure that a statewide review of
tenancy and management of social housing is conducted so that antisocial
behaviour can be addressed?
137. Ms Kirrilee Warr to the Minister for Housing and Works:
I note the minister
has called for a review into tenancy make-up at social housing in Inglewood. Noting
that antisocial behaviour around social housing residents is not limited to the
suburb of Inglewood, will the minister ensure that a statewide review of
tenancy and management of social housing is conducted so that antisocial
behaviour can be addressed?
AnswerView source ↗
Can I say this: after my first answer when I talked
about why we need social housing, I am actually really saddened by the
approach that the opposition is taking. We have 40,000 social homes and the
majority of people live there every day and do their best. Of course, I talked
about the circumstances of Gary and Norma today. What is very clear now is that
what is coming from the opposition is part of a broader campaign to stigmatise
and vilify—it is just obvious.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! You have asked the question. The
minister is responding. Carry on, minister.
Mr John Carey: As I have said numerous times, with over
40,000 homes, there will be, from time to time, with such a large number of
social housing stock and a large number of tenancies, times that we will face
conflict between tenants and other social behaviour
issues. Now, I need to be clear that the Barnett government's three-strike
policy remains in place; however, we did look at domestic violence—
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! Member for Central Wheatbelt, if
you want to ask a question—
Mr Lachlan Hunter interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Central Wheatbelt, if you want
to ask a question, stand up and ask one. Until then, remain silent. Carry on,
minister.
Mr John Carey: That policy remains in place. As a
minister, I did look at the impact on domestic violence victims. I want to give
an example. If we have a social housing tenant who has fled domestic violence
and has a child, for example, and a perpetrator, or family members of that
perpetrator, visits that house numerous times and damage is done to that
property and neighbours make complaints, we need some nuanced approaches
because the tenant, who is a victim of domestic violence, should not be held
responsible for others' actions. Now, that is a clear example of the
complexities we face in the social housing system. I say this respectfully and
sincerely. What we are seeing now from the opposition is to make this black and
white—make it a black and white policy matter and say "Social
housing is bad. Push it out of all the communities and just push it out to
certain areas." The reality is that we take a serious approach to this. We
have support mechanisms through our Thrive program. But where there is serious
behaviour, the Department of Communities takes it seriously. It does take
action. It works with police. That is the right approach to what can be very
complex matters.
about why we need social housing, I am actually really saddened by the
approach that the opposition is taking. We have 40,000 social homes and the
majority of people live there every day and do their best. Of course, I talked
about the circumstances of Gary and Norma today. What is very clear now is that
what is coming from the opposition is part of a broader campaign to stigmatise
and vilify—it is just obvious.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! You have asked the question. The
minister is responding. Carry on, minister.
Mr John Carey: As I have said numerous times, with over
40,000 homes, there will be, from time to time, with such a large number of
social housing stock and a large number of tenancies, times that we will face
conflict between tenants and other social behaviour
issues. Now, I need to be clear that the Barnett government's three-strike
policy remains in place; however, we did look at domestic violence—
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! Member for Central Wheatbelt, if
you want to ask a question—
Mr Lachlan Hunter interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Central Wheatbelt, if you want
to ask a question, stand up and ask one. Until then, remain silent. Carry on,
minister.
Mr John Carey: That policy remains in place. As a
minister, I did look at the impact on domestic violence victims. I want to give
an example. If we have a social housing tenant who has fled domestic violence
and has a child, for example, and a perpetrator, or family members of that
perpetrator, visits that house numerous times and damage is done to that
property and neighbours make complaints, we need some nuanced approaches
because the tenant, who is a victim of domestic violence, should not be held
responsible for others' actions. Now, that is a clear example of the
complexities we face in the social housing system. I say this respectfully and
sincerely. What we are seeing now from the opposition is to make this black and
white—make it a black and white policy matter and say "Social
housing is bad. Push it out of all the communities and just push it out to
certain areas." The reality is that we take a serious approach to this. We
have support mechanisms through our Thrive program. But where there is serious
behaviour, the Department of Communities takes it seriously. It does take
action. It works with police. That is the right approach to what can be very
complex matters.
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