❓ Hon Stephen Dawson questions the Minister for Housing regarding the impact of new head maintenance contracts on Aboriginal corporations in the Pilbara and Kimberley, specifically concerning lost contracts and jobs. The Minister's response indicates a shift in contracting arrangements but maintains Aboriginal corporations still have access to opportunities.
AnsweredQoN 1001Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT
OF HOUSING — HEAD MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS — ABORIGINAL
CORPORATIONS
1001. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the
Minister for Housing:
I refer to the Department of Housing's head
contractor maintenance arrangements for housing maintenance in the Pilbara and
Kimberley, and reports that interstate businesses are receiving subcontracted
work.
(1) How many
Aboriginal corporations have lost contracts as a result of the new contracting
arrangements?
(2) What are
the names of all Aboriginal corporations for which contracts or subcontracts
for housing maintenance have been cancelled or not renewed?
(3) How many jobs have or will be lost within each community
as a result of these changes?
(4) Will the
minister immediately reinstate maintenance job opportunities to all Aboriginal
corporations that previously provided jobs through maintenance contracts and
subcontracts; and, if not, why not?
OF HOUSING — HEAD MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS — ABORIGINAL
CORPORATIONS
1001. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the
Minister for Housing:
I refer to the Department of Housing's head
contractor maintenance arrangements for housing maintenance in the Pilbara and
Kimberley, and reports that interstate businesses are receiving subcontracted
work.
(1) How many
Aboriginal corporations have lost contracts as a result of the new contracting
arrangements?
(2) What are
the names of all Aboriginal corporations for which contracts or subcontracts
for housing maintenance have been cancelled or not renewed?
(3) How many jobs have or will be lost within each community
as a result of these changes?
(4) Will the
minister immediately reinstate maintenance job opportunities to all Aboriginal
corporations that previously provided jobs through maintenance contracts and
subcontracts; and, if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question.
(1) Prior to
30 June 2015, the Housing Authority had approximately 20 informal gentlemen's
agreements with Aboriginal corporations and subcontractors to deliver
maintenance services in remote Aboriginal communities. With the introduction of
the head maintenance contract in these communities from 1 July 2015, head
contractors actively engaged with the same Aboriginal corporations and
subcontractors to establish ongoing arrangements and relationships to deliver
maintenance works.
(2) Any
subcontract arrangements between the head maintenance contractor and the
Aboriginal corporation and its subcontractors are between both parties. The
Housing Authority is not privy to these arrangements.
(3) Not all
Aboriginal corporations or subcontractors are based in remote communities.
Accordingly, the Housing Authority is unable to assess the impacts on jobs in
remote communities. However, under its various contracts, the authority sets
targets that support Aboriginal employment in construction, maintenance, and
property and tenancy management. Much of the maintenance work continues to be
delivered by existing organisations under these arrangements.
(4) Under the
head maintenance contract model, Aboriginal corporations and subcontractors
continue to have access to contract and employment opportunities.
question.
(1) Prior to
30 June 2015, the Housing Authority had approximately 20 informal gentlemen's
agreements with Aboriginal corporations and subcontractors to deliver
maintenance services in remote Aboriginal communities. With the introduction of
the head maintenance contract in these communities from 1 July 2015, head
contractors actively engaged with the same Aboriginal corporations and
subcontractors to establish ongoing arrangements and relationships to deliver
maintenance works.
(2) Any
subcontract arrangements between the head maintenance contractor and the
Aboriginal corporation and its subcontractors are between both parties. The
Housing Authority is not privy to these arrangements.
(3) Not all
Aboriginal corporations or subcontractors are based in remote communities.
Accordingly, the Housing Authority is unable to assess the impacts on jobs in
remote communities. However, under its various contracts, the authority sets
targets that support Aboriginal employment in construction, maintenance, and
property and tenancy management. Much of the maintenance work continues to be
delivered by existing organisations under these arrangements.
(4) Under the
head maintenance contract model, Aboriginal corporations and subcontractors
continue to have access to contract and employment opportunities.
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