❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the impact of a government employee housing rent increase on attracting and retaining key workers, particularly in regional areas. The Minister acknowledges concerns and highlights existing support measures.
AnsweredQoN 279Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE HOUSING - RENT INCREASE
I refer to the recently approved $10 increase in rents for public servants in government employee housing, and ask - (1) What impact will this additional cost increase have on attempts to attract and retain key employees such as teachers, nurses and police? (2) Given the difficulties the government is having in retaining these employees, particularly in regional areas, was this cost increase discussed in cabinet, and will the minister reverse this decision? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS
I refer to the recently approved $10 increase in rents for public servants in government employee housing, and ask - (1) What impact will this additional cost increase have on attempts to attract and retain key employees such as teachers, nurses and police? (2) Given the difficulties the government is having in retaining these employees, particularly in regional areas, was this cost increase discussed in cabinet, and will the minister reverse this decision? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) The cost increase, I understand, is up to $10 per week, not necessarily $10 a week. This matter was part of the normal government budget process, and that is how it was determined. Of course, the government is concerned about retaining government employees in country and regional areas. Members may recall, for example, that as Minister for Police and Emergency Services I initiated an $8 million package of assistance as a bonus for police officers. In fact, there were some locations where we determined that it was inappropriate for police officers to pay rent. I think Eucla was one of those locations. The government places a high priority on the affordability of government employee housing in regional areas for the attraction and retention of government employees in those areas.
(1) What impact will this additional cost increase have on attempts to attract and retain key employees such as teachers, nurses and police? (2) Given the difficulties the government is having in retaining these employees, particularly in regional areas, was this cost increase discussed in cabinet, and will the minister reverse this decision? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(2) The cost increase, I understand, is up to $10 per week, not necessarily $10 a week. This matter was part of the normal government budget process, and that is how it was determined. Of course, the government is concerned about retaining government employees in country and regional areas. Members may recall, for example, that as Minister for Police and Emergency Services I initiated an $8 million package of assistance as a bonus for police officers. In fact, there were some locations where we determined that it was inappropriate for police officers to pay rent. I think Eucla was one of those locations. The government places a high priority on the affordability of government employee housing in regional areas for the attraction and retention of government employees in those areas.
(2) Given the difficulties the government is having in retaining these employees, particularly in regional areas, was this cost increase discussed in cabinet, and will the minister reverse this decision? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(2) The cost increase, I understand, is up to $10 per week, not necessarily $10 a week. This matter was part of the normal government budget process, and that is how it was determined. Of course, the government is concerned about retaining government employees in country and regional areas. Members may recall, for example, that as Minister for Police and Emergency Services I initiated an $8 million package of assistance as a bonus for police officers. In fact, there were some locations where we determined that it was inappropriate for police officers to pay rent. I think Eucla was one of those locations. The government places a high priority on the affordability of government employee housing in regional areas for the attraction and retention of government employees in those areas.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(2) The cost increase, I understand, is up to $10 per week, not necessarily $10 a week. This matter was part of the normal government budget process, and that is how it was determined. Of course, the government is concerned about retaining government employees in country and regional areas. Members may recall, for example, that as Minister for Police and Emergency Services I initiated an $8 million package of assistance as a bonus for police officers. In fact, there were some locations where we determined that it was inappropriate for police officers to pay rent. I think Eucla was one of those locations. The government places a high priority on the affordability of government employee housing in regional areas for the attraction and retention of government employees in those areas.
(1)-(2) The cost increase, I understand, is up to $10 per week, not necessarily $10 a week. This matter was part of the normal government budget process, and that is how it was determined. Of course, the government is concerned about retaining government employees in country and regional areas. Members may recall, for example, that as Minister for Police and Emergency Services I initiated an $8 million package of assistance as a bonus for police officers. In fact, there were some locations where we determined that it was inappropriate for police officers to pay rent. I think Eucla was one of those locations. The government places a high priority on the affordability of government employee housing in regional areas for the attraction and retention of government employees in those areas.
(1) What impact will this additional cost increase have on attempts to attract and retain key employees such as teachers, nurses and police? (2) Given the difficulties the government is having in retaining these employees, particularly in regional areas, was this cost increase discussed in cabinet, and will the minister reverse this decision? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(2) The cost increase, I understand, is up to $10 per week, not necessarily $10 a week. This matter was part of the normal government budget process, and that is how it was determined. Of course, the government is concerned about retaining government employees in country and regional areas. Members may recall, for example, that as Minister for Police and Emergency Services I initiated an $8 million package of assistance as a bonus for police officers. In fact, there were some locations where we determined that it was inappropriate for police officers to pay rent. I think Eucla was one of those locations. The government places a high priority on the affordability of government employee housing in regional areas for the attraction and retention of government employees in those areas.
(2) Given the difficulties the government is having in retaining these employees, particularly in regional areas, was this cost increase discussed in cabinet, and will the minister reverse this decision? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(2) The cost increase, I understand, is up to $10 per week, not necessarily $10 a week. This matter was part of the normal government budget process, and that is how it was determined. Of course, the government is concerned about retaining government employees in country and regional areas. Members may recall, for example, that as Minister for Police and Emergency Services I initiated an $8 million package of assistance as a bonus for police officers. In fact, there were some locations where we determined that it was inappropriate for police officers to pay rent. I think Eucla was one of those locations. The government places a high priority on the affordability of government employee housing in regional areas for the attraction and retention of government employees in those areas.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(2) The cost increase, I understand, is up to $10 per week, not necessarily $10 a week. This matter was part of the normal government budget process, and that is how it was determined. Of course, the government is concerned about retaining government employees in country and regional areas. Members may recall, for example, that as Minister for Police and Emergency Services I initiated an $8 million package of assistance as a bonus for police officers. In fact, there were some locations where we determined that it was inappropriate for police officers to pay rent. I think Eucla was one of those locations. The government places a high priority on the affordability of government employee housing in regional areas for the attraction and retention of government employees in those areas.
(1)-(2) The cost increase, I understand, is up to $10 per week, not necessarily $10 a week. This matter was part of the normal government budget process, and that is how it was determined. Of course, the government is concerned about retaining government employees in country and regional areas. Members may recall, for example, that as Minister for Police and Emergency Services I initiated an $8 million package of assistance as a bonus for police officers. In fact, there were some locations where we determined that it was inappropriate for police officers to pay rent. I think Eucla was one of those locations. The government places a high priority on the affordability of government employee housing in regional areas for the attraction and retention of government employees in those areas.
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