❓ Mr. Catania questions the Minister for Housing's absence from a housing summit. The Minister defends his approach, criticizes Shelter WA's proposals and Mr. Catania's understanding of housing complexities, accusing him of seeking headlines over practical solutions.
AnsweredQoN 380Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
HOUSING SOLUTIONS SUMMIT
380. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Minister for Housing:
I have a supplementary question. If
everything is on the table to address the housing crisis, why did the minister
think the summit was not important enough to attend?
380. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Minister for Housing:
I have a supplementary question. If
everything is on the table to address the housing crisis, why did the minister
think the summit was not important enough to attend?
AnswerView source ↗
There
are two things. First, I am a very open and accessible minister. I have met
with a large number of stakeholders , including Shelter WA on two
occasions. I want to address this issue because the member for North West Central
seems to be such a keen proponent for Shelter WA and some of its proposals. As
I have said on the public record very clearly, there is a nuanced and complex
approach to delivering public housing. It is not as simplistic as some advocacy
groups suggest, including the suggestions for the member for North West Central's
electorate, and I will give an example. Shelter WA is on the public record with
the suggestion that using vacant suburban land in Carnarvon, I should build 157 one-bedroom units. That seems great, but
actually there is complexity to the equation for these simple reasons. Firstly, there is no demand for 157
one-bedroom units; in fact, what we need in many regions is culturally
appropriate accommodation. Secondly, we have to think about, as I have flagged
before, the complexities of high-density social precincts and suburbs. I would
be interested in the member for North West Central's approach and attitude and what nearby households may think when potential antisocial
behaviour develops as a result of a Shelter WA proposal to put 157 one-bedroom
units in a small suburb or precinct of Carnarvon. Does the member for North West
Central support that measure?
Mr V.A. Catania interjected.
Mr J.N. CAREY : Do you support
that measure, member?
Several members interjected.
Mr
J.N. CAREY : We hear from this
member, who is so simplistic in his analysis. He has been to the Barnaby Joyce school of media training—say whatever and do whatever to get a headline.
We saw it on the Pindan issue, when he said, ''Terminate the contract
and put at risk 90 jobs in the regions.''
Mr V.A. Catania interjected.
Mr J.N. CAREY : That was your
advocacy! I have to say this: members in the member for North West Central's
community have thanked me personally for taking a prudent approach to Pindan
and securing 90 jobs, including jobs in the member's electorate. The
member may not care about that. He may be after a headline in his reckless
approach, but I am very clear that on both our housing and homelessness
strategies and in dealing with those sorts of issues, this government has got
it right.
are two things. First, I am a very open and accessible minister. I have met
with a large number of stakeholders , including Shelter WA on two
occasions. I want to address this issue because the member for North West Central
seems to be such a keen proponent for Shelter WA and some of its proposals. As
I have said on the public record very clearly, there is a nuanced and complex
approach to delivering public housing. It is not as simplistic as some advocacy
groups suggest, including the suggestions for the member for North West Central's
electorate, and I will give an example. Shelter WA is on the public record with
the suggestion that using vacant suburban land in Carnarvon, I should build 157 one-bedroom units. That seems great, but
actually there is complexity to the equation for these simple reasons. Firstly, there is no demand for 157
one-bedroom units; in fact, what we need in many regions is culturally
appropriate accommodation. Secondly, we have to think about, as I have flagged
before, the complexities of high-density social precincts and suburbs. I would
be interested in the member for North West Central's approach and attitude and what nearby households may think when potential antisocial
behaviour develops as a result of a Shelter WA proposal to put 157 one-bedroom
units in a small suburb or precinct of Carnarvon. Does the member for North West
Central support that measure?
Mr V.A. Catania interjected.
Mr J.N. CAREY : Do you support
that measure, member?
Several members interjected.
Mr
J.N. CAREY : We hear from this
member, who is so simplistic in his analysis. He has been to the Barnaby Joyce school of media training—say whatever and do whatever to get a headline.
We saw it on the Pindan issue, when he said, ''Terminate the contract
and put at risk 90 jobs in the regions.''
Mr V.A. Catania interjected.
Mr J.N. CAREY : That was your
advocacy! I have to say this: members in the member for North West Central's
community have thanked me personally for taking a prudent approach to Pindan
and securing 90 jobs, including jobs in the member's electorate. The
member may not care about that. He may be after a headline in his reckless
approach, but I am very clear that on both our housing and homelessness
strategies and in dealing with those sorts of issues, this government has got
it right.
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