A parliamentary question probes the Minister for Housing and Works on the implementation of recommendations from an inquiry into discriminatory practices in public housing for Aboriginal people. The Minister's response disputes the inquiry's findings, citing a lack of consultation and existing departmental oversight, while agreeing to consider a limited number of recommendations within existing budget allocations.

AnsweredQoN 1264Legislative Council
Asked
29 April 2005
Portfolio
Housing and Works

QuestionView source ↗

Regarding the recommendations of the ‘Inquiry into the Existence of Discriminatory Practices in relation to the Provision of Public Housing and Related Services to Aboriginal People in Western Australia’, I ask -
(1) How much funding is required to implement the 165 recommendations of the Inquiry?
(2) Will the Minister ensure that the 2005-06 Budget contains funds for the implementation of the 165 recommendations on the Inquiry?
(3) Will the Minister ensure that the
Equal Opportunity Act 1984
is amended as per recommendation three of the Inquiry?
(4) If yes to (3), when?
(5) If no to (3), why not?
(6) Will the Minister direct Homeswest to conduct a policy review as per recommendation five and six of the Inquiry?
(7) If yes to (5), when?
(8) If no to (5), why not?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
25 May 2005
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Housing and Works
Response time
26 days
I am advised: (1) - (8) I have examined the report "Finding a Place" and advise that 48% of the recommendations have been implemented prior to the report's publication. This highlights my major concern with the report, which is its lack of consultation with the Department of Housing and Works and a lack of research into the department's existing policies and practices. The department's polices are continually scrutinized by an independent committee including representation from the community sector and chaired by Shelter WA. The Equal Opportunity Commission participated on this committee but withdrew in 2004. A standing invitation still exists for the Equal Opportunity Commission to participate in this process. I have agreed to consider nine of the recommendations of the report, funding for which can be managed within the department's existing budget allocation for the Homeswest Operational Standing Committee. If the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 requires amendment it is suggested that this should be initiated by the Equal Opportunity Commission.
(1) - (8) I have examined the report "Finding a Place" and advise that 48% of the recommendations have been implemented prior to the report's publication. This highlights my major concern with the report, which is its lack of consultation with the Department of Housing and Works and a lack of research into the department's existing policies and practices. The department's polices are continually scrutinized by an independent committee including representation from the community sector and chaired by Shelter WA. The Equal Opportunity Commission participated on this committee but withdrew in 2004. A standing invitation still exists for the Equal Opportunity Commission to participate in this process. I have agreed to consider nine of the recommendations of the report, funding for which can be managed within the department's existing budget allocation for the Homeswest Operational Standing Committee. If the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 requires amendment it is suggested that this should be initiated by the Equal Opportunity Commission.
I have examined the report "Finding a Place" and advise that 48% of the recommendations have been implemented prior to the report's publication. This highlights my major concern with the report, which is its lack of consultation with the Department of Housing and Works and a lack of research into the department's existing policies and practices. The department's polices are continually scrutinized by an independent committee including representation from the community sector and chaired by Shelter WA. The Equal Opportunity Commission participated on this committee but withdrew in 2004. A standing invitation still exists for the Equal Opportunity Commission to participate in this process. I have agreed to consider nine of the recommendations of the report, funding for which can be managed within the department's existing budget allocation for the Homeswest Operational Standing Committee. If the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 requires amendment it is suggested that this should be initiated by the Equal Opportunity Commission.
I have examined the report "Finding a Place" and advise that 48% of the recommendations have been implemented prior to the report's publication. This highlights my major concern with the report, which is its lack of consultation with the Department of Housing and Works and a lack of research into the department's existing policies and practices. The department's polices are continually scrutinized by an independent committee including representation from the community sector and chaired by Shelter WA. The Equal Opportunity Commission participated on this committee but withdrew in 2004. A standing invitation still exists for the Equal Opportunity Commission to participate in this process. I have agreed to consider nine of the recommendations of the report, funding for which can be managed within the department's existing budget allocation for the Homeswest Operational Standing Committee. If the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 requires amendment it is suggested that this should be initiated by the Equal Opportunity Commission.
The department's polices are continually scrutinized by an independent committee including representation from the community sector and chaired by Shelter WA. The Equal Opportunity Commission participated on this committee but withdrew in 2004. A standing invitation still exists for the Equal Opportunity Commission to participate in this process. I have agreed to consider nine of the recommendations of the report, funding for which can be managed within the department's existing budget allocation for the Homeswest Operational Standing Committee. If the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 requires amendment it is suggested that this should be initiated by the Equal Opportunity Commission.
I have agreed to consider nine of the recommendations of the report, funding for which can be managed within the department's existing budget allocation for the Homeswest Operational Standing Committee. If the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 requires amendment it is suggested that this should be initiated by the Equal Opportunity Commission.
If the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 requires amendment it is suggested that this should be initiated by the Equal Opportunity Commission.

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