❓ Mr. Ripper questions the Premier on exempting the age pension increase from public housing rent calculations. The Premier defends the decision to return to the 25% of income rule after an extended exemption period, citing fairness and investment capacity.
AnsweredQoN 540Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PUBLIC HOUSING — AGE PENSION INCREASE
I refer to the increase in the age pension of $30 per week for full-rate singles effective from 30 September 2009. I also refer to the 2008 Liberal election commitment, which states — Most seniors are on low, fixed incomes and are vulnerable to major financial imposts. It is important that all seniors are able to access discounts and rebates that have been developed to help offset these costs. (1) In a rich state like Western Australia, will the government join with four other Australian jurisdictions and permanently exempt this increase from public housing rent calculations? (2) If no to (1), why not? Mr C.J. BARNETT
I refer to the increase in the age pension of $30 per week for full-rate singles effective from 30 September 2009. I also refer to the 2008 Liberal election commitment, which states — Most seniors are on low, fixed incomes and are vulnerable to major financial imposts. It is important that all seniors are able to access discounts and rebates that have been developed to help offset these costs. (1) In a rich state like Western Australia, will the government join with four other Australian jurisdictions and permanently exempt this increase from public housing rent calculations? (2) If no to (1), why not? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. He perhaps should have directed it to the Minister for Housing; nevertheless, I will make some comments on it. (1)–(2) When the commonwealth government provided, as part of its stimulus package, a one-off boost in the pension, it was agreed at the Council of Australian Governments meeting that that would be exempted for 12 months as part of supporting the stimulus and ensuring that that money flowed through to pensioners and therefore into consumption. That was the argument. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think it was a separate issue from the stimulus actually. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the argument at COAG. The Leader of the Opposition will recall that he was not there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition was not. I am trying to answer his question seriously, but I will not if members opposite are not going to be serious about it. The states agreed that they would provide an exemption or a moratorium for 12 months and that was extended subsequently to 18 months. The long-term principle has been that Homeswest rentals should be 25 per cent of income. That is there for good reason; it is equitable to all Homeswest tenants and it gives capacity to invest that money into further Homeswest accommodation. Therefore, we have agreed to the further six months, but thereafter we want to return to that principle of 25 per cent of income. That has been long established and it is fair. Indeed, it is fair to those on the Homeswest waiting list and those who are in higher cost private rental accommodation who would like to have a Homeswest rental, so I think that it is a totally appropriate and fair outcome.
(2) If no to (1), why not? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. He perhaps should have directed it to the Minister for Housing; nevertheless, I will make some comments on it. (1)–(2) When the commonwealth government provided, as part of its stimulus package, a one-off boost in the pension, it was agreed at the Council of Australian Governments meeting that that would be exempted for 12 months as part of supporting the stimulus and ensuring that that money flowed through to pensioners and therefore into consumption. That was the argument. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think it was a separate issue from the stimulus actually. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the argument at COAG. The Leader of the Opposition will recall that he was not there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition was not. I am trying to answer his question seriously, but I will not if members opposite are not going to be serious about it. The states agreed that they would provide an exemption or a moratorium for 12 months and that was extended subsequently to 18 months. The long-term principle has been that Homeswest rentals should be 25 per cent of income. That is there for good reason; it is equitable to all Homeswest tenants and it gives capacity to invest that money into further Homeswest accommodation. Therefore, we have agreed to the further six months, but thereafter we want to return to that principle of 25 per cent of income. That has been long established and it is fair. Indeed, it is fair to those on the Homeswest waiting list and those who are in higher cost private rental accommodation who would like to have a Homeswest rental, so I think that it is a totally appropriate and fair outcome.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. He perhaps should have directed it to the Minister for Housing; nevertheless, I will make some comments on it. (1)–(2) When the commonwealth government provided, as part of its stimulus package, a one-off boost in the pension, it was agreed at the Council of Australian Governments meeting that that would be exempted for 12 months as part of supporting the stimulus and ensuring that that money flowed through to pensioners and therefore into consumption. That was the argument. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think it was a separate issue from the stimulus actually. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the argument at COAG. The Leader of the Opposition will recall that he was not there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition was not. I am trying to answer his question seriously, but I will not if members opposite are not going to be serious about it. The states agreed that they would provide an exemption or a moratorium for 12 months and that was extended subsequently to 18 months. The long-term principle has been that Homeswest rentals should be 25 per cent of income. That is there for good reason; it is equitable to all Homeswest tenants and it gives capacity to invest that money into further Homeswest accommodation. Therefore, we have agreed to the further six months, but thereafter we want to return to that principle of 25 per cent of income. That has been long established and it is fair. Indeed, it is fair to those on the Homeswest waiting list and those who are in higher cost private rental accommodation who would like to have a Homeswest rental, so I think that it is a totally appropriate and fair outcome.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. He perhaps should have directed it to the Minister for Housing; nevertheless, I will make some comments on it. (1)–(2) When the commonwealth government provided, as part of its stimulus package, a one-off boost in the pension, it was agreed at the Council of Australian Governments meeting that that would be exempted for 12 months as part of supporting the stimulus and ensuring that that money flowed through to pensioners and therefore into consumption. That was the argument. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think it was a separate issue from the stimulus actually. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the argument at COAG. The Leader of the Opposition will recall that he was not there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition was not. I am trying to answer his question seriously, but I will not if members opposite are not going to be serious about it. The states agreed that they would provide an exemption or a moratorium for 12 months and that was extended subsequently to 18 months. The long-term principle has been that Homeswest rentals should be 25 per cent of income. That is there for good reason; it is equitable to all Homeswest tenants and it gives capacity to invest that money into further Homeswest accommodation. Therefore, we have agreed to the further six months, but thereafter we want to return to that principle of 25 per cent of income. That has been long established and it is fair. Indeed, it is fair to those on the Homeswest waiting list and those who are in higher cost private rental accommodation who would like to have a Homeswest rental, so I think that it is a totally appropriate and fair outcome.
(1)–(2) When the commonwealth government provided, as part of its stimulus package, a one-off boost in the pension, it was agreed at the Council of Australian Governments meeting that that would be exempted for 12 months as part of supporting the stimulus and ensuring that that money flowed through to pensioners and therefore into consumption. That was the argument. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think it was a separate issue from the stimulus actually. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the argument at COAG. The Leader of the Opposition will recall that he was not there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition was not. I am trying to answer his question seriously, but I will not if members opposite are not going to be serious about it. The states agreed that they would provide an exemption or a moratorium for 12 months and that was extended subsequently to 18 months. The long-term principle has been that Homeswest rentals should be 25 per cent of income. That is there for good reason; it is equitable to all Homeswest tenants and it gives capacity to invest that money into further Homeswest accommodation. Therefore, we have agreed to the further six months, but thereafter we want to return to that principle of 25 per cent of income. That has been long established and it is fair. Indeed, it is fair to those on the Homeswest waiting list and those who are in higher cost private rental accommodation who would like to have a Homeswest rental, so I think that it is a totally appropriate and fair outcome.
Mr E.S. Ripper : I think it was a separate issue from the stimulus actually. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the argument at COAG. The Leader of the Opposition will recall that he was not there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition was not. I am trying to answer his question seriously, but I will not if members opposite are not going to be serious about it. The states agreed that they would provide an exemption or a moratorium for 12 months and that was extended subsequently to 18 months. The long-term principle has been that Homeswest rentals should be 25 per cent of income. That is there for good reason; it is equitable to all Homeswest tenants and it gives capacity to invest that money into further Homeswest accommodation. Therefore, we have agreed to the further six months, but thereafter we want to return to that principle of 25 per cent of income. That has been long established and it is fair. Indeed, it is fair to those on the Homeswest waiting list and those who are in higher cost private rental accommodation who would like to have a Homeswest rental, so I think that it is a totally appropriate and fair outcome.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the argument at COAG. The Leader of the Opposition will recall that he was not there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition was not. I am trying to answer his question seriously, but I will not if members opposite are not going to be serious about it. The states agreed that they would provide an exemption or a moratorium for 12 months and that was extended subsequently to 18 months. The long-term principle has been that Homeswest rentals should be 25 per cent of income. That is there for good reason; it is equitable to all Homeswest tenants and it gives capacity to invest that money into further Homeswest accommodation. Therefore, we have agreed to the further six months, but thereafter we want to return to that principle of 25 per cent of income. That has been long established and it is fair. Indeed, it is fair to those on the Homeswest waiting list and those who are in higher cost private rental accommodation who would like to have a Homeswest rental, so I think that it is a totally appropriate and fair outcome.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition was not. I am trying to answer his question seriously, but I will not if members opposite are not going to be serious about it. The states agreed that they would provide an exemption or a moratorium for 12 months and that was extended subsequently to 18 months. The long-term principle has been that Homeswest rentals should be 25 per cent of income. That is there for good reason; it is equitable to all Homeswest tenants and it gives capacity to invest that money into further Homeswest accommodation. Therefore, we have agreed to the further six months, but thereafter we want to return to that principle of 25 per cent of income. That has been long established and it is fair. Indeed, it is fair to those on the Homeswest waiting list and those who are in higher cost private rental accommodation who would like to have a Homeswest rental, so I think that it is a totally appropriate and fair outcome.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition was not. I am trying to answer his question seriously, but I will not if members opposite are not going to be serious about it. The states agreed that they would provide an exemption or a moratorium for 12 months and that was extended subsequently to 18 months. The long-term principle has been that Homeswest rentals should be 25 per cent of income. That is there for good reason; it is equitable to all Homeswest tenants and it gives capacity to invest that money into further Homeswest accommodation. Therefore, we have agreed to the further six months, but thereafter we want to return to that principle of 25 per cent of income. That has been long established and it is fair. Indeed, it is fair to those on the Homeswest waiting list and those who are in higher cost private rental accommodation who would like to have a Homeswest rental, so I think that it is a totally appropriate and fair outcome.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition was not. I am trying to answer his question seriously, but I will not if members opposite are not going to be serious about it. The states agreed that they would provide an exemption or a moratorium for 12 months and that was extended subsequently to 18 months. The long-term principle has been that Homeswest rentals should be 25 per cent of income. That is there for good reason; it is equitable to all Homeswest tenants and it gives capacity to invest that money into further Homeswest accommodation. Therefore, we have agreed to the further six months, but thereafter we want to return to that principle of 25 per cent of income. That has been long established and it is fair. Indeed, it is fair to those on the Homeswest waiting list and those who are in higher cost private rental accommodation who would like to have a Homeswest rental, so I think that it is a totally appropriate and fair outcome.
The states agreed that they would provide an exemption or a moratorium for 12 months and that was extended subsequently to 18 months. The long-term principle has been that Homeswest rentals should be 25 per cent of income. That is there for good reason; it is equitable to all Homeswest tenants and it gives capacity to invest that money into further Homeswest accommodation. Therefore, we have agreed to the further six months, but thereafter we want to return to that principle of 25 per cent of income. That has been long established and it is fair. Indeed, it is fair to those on the Homeswest waiting list and those who are in higher cost private rental accommodation who would like to have a Homeswest rental, so I think that it is a totally appropriate and fair outcome.
(2) If no to (1), why not? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. He perhaps should have directed it to the Minister for Housing; nevertheless, I will make some comments on it. (1)–(2) When the commonwealth government provided, as part of its stimulus package, a one-off boost in the pension, it was agreed at the Council of Australian Governments meeting that that would be exempted for 12 months as part of supporting the stimulus and ensuring that that money flowed through to pensioners and therefore into consumption. That was the argument. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think it was a separate issue from the stimulus actually. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the argument at COAG. The Leader of the Opposition will recall that he was not there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition was not. I am trying to answer his question seriously, but I will not if members opposite are not going to be serious about it. The states agreed that they would provide an exemption or a moratorium for 12 months and that was extended subsequently to 18 months. The long-term principle has been that Homeswest rentals should be 25 per cent of income. That is there for good reason; it is equitable to all Homeswest tenants and it gives capacity to invest that money into further Homeswest accommodation. Therefore, we have agreed to the further six months, but thereafter we want to return to that principle of 25 per cent of income. That has been long established and it is fair. Indeed, it is fair to those on the Homeswest waiting list and those who are in higher cost private rental accommodation who would like to have a Homeswest rental, so I think that it is a totally appropriate and fair outcome.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. He perhaps should have directed it to the Minister for Housing; nevertheless, I will make some comments on it. (1)–(2) When the commonwealth government provided, as part of its stimulus package, a one-off boost in the pension, it was agreed at the Council of Australian Governments meeting that that would be exempted for 12 months as part of supporting the stimulus and ensuring that that money flowed through to pensioners and therefore into consumption. That was the argument. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think it was a separate issue from the stimulus actually. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the argument at COAG. The Leader of the Opposition will recall that he was not there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition was not. I am trying to answer his question seriously, but I will not if members opposite are not going to be serious about it. The states agreed that they would provide an exemption or a moratorium for 12 months and that was extended subsequently to 18 months. The long-term principle has been that Homeswest rentals should be 25 per cent of income. That is there for good reason; it is equitable to all Homeswest tenants and it gives capacity to invest that money into further Homeswest accommodation. Therefore, we have agreed to the further six months, but thereafter we want to return to that principle of 25 per cent of income. That has been long established and it is fair. Indeed, it is fair to those on the Homeswest waiting list and those who are in higher cost private rental accommodation who would like to have a Homeswest rental, so I think that it is a totally appropriate and fair outcome.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. He perhaps should have directed it to the Minister for Housing; nevertheless, I will make some comments on it. (1)–(2) When the commonwealth government provided, as part of its stimulus package, a one-off boost in the pension, it was agreed at the Council of Australian Governments meeting that that would be exempted for 12 months as part of supporting the stimulus and ensuring that that money flowed through to pensioners and therefore into consumption. That was the argument. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think it was a separate issue from the stimulus actually. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the argument at COAG. The Leader of the Opposition will recall that he was not there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition was not. I am trying to answer his question seriously, but I will not if members opposite are not going to be serious about it. The states agreed that they would provide an exemption or a moratorium for 12 months and that was extended subsequently to 18 months. The long-term principle has been that Homeswest rentals should be 25 per cent of income. That is there for good reason; it is equitable to all Homeswest tenants and it gives capacity to invest that money into further Homeswest accommodation. Therefore, we have agreed to the further six months, but thereafter we want to return to that principle of 25 per cent of income. That has been long established and it is fair. Indeed, it is fair to those on the Homeswest waiting list and those who are in higher cost private rental accommodation who would like to have a Homeswest rental, so I think that it is a totally appropriate and fair outcome.
(1)–(2) When the commonwealth government provided, as part of its stimulus package, a one-off boost in the pension, it was agreed at the Council of Australian Governments meeting that that would be exempted for 12 months as part of supporting the stimulus and ensuring that that money flowed through to pensioners and therefore into consumption. That was the argument. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think it was a separate issue from the stimulus actually. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the argument at COAG. The Leader of the Opposition will recall that he was not there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition was not. I am trying to answer his question seriously, but I will not if members opposite are not going to be serious about it. The states agreed that they would provide an exemption or a moratorium for 12 months and that was extended subsequently to 18 months. The long-term principle has been that Homeswest rentals should be 25 per cent of income. That is there for good reason; it is equitable to all Homeswest tenants and it gives capacity to invest that money into further Homeswest accommodation. Therefore, we have agreed to the further six months, but thereafter we want to return to that principle of 25 per cent of income. That has been long established and it is fair. Indeed, it is fair to those on the Homeswest waiting list and those who are in higher cost private rental accommodation who would like to have a Homeswest rental, so I think that it is a totally appropriate and fair outcome.
Mr E.S. Ripper : I think it was a separate issue from the stimulus actually. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the argument at COAG. The Leader of the Opposition will recall that he was not there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition was not. I am trying to answer his question seriously, but I will not if members opposite are not going to be serious about it. The states agreed that they would provide an exemption or a moratorium for 12 months and that was extended subsequently to 18 months. The long-term principle has been that Homeswest rentals should be 25 per cent of income. That is there for good reason; it is equitable to all Homeswest tenants and it gives capacity to invest that money into further Homeswest accommodation. Therefore, we have agreed to the further six months, but thereafter we want to return to that principle of 25 per cent of income. That has been long established and it is fair. Indeed, it is fair to those on the Homeswest waiting list and those who are in higher cost private rental accommodation who would like to have a Homeswest rental, so I think that it is a totally appropriate and fair outcome.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the argument at COAG. The Leader of the Opposition will recall that he was not there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition was not. I am trying to answer his question seriously, but I will not if members opposite are not going to be serious about it. The states agreed that they would provide an exemption or a moratorium for 12 months and that was extended subsequently to 18 months. The long-term principle has been that Homeswest rentals should be 25 per cent of income. That is there for good reason; it is equitable to all Homeswest tenants and it gives capacity to invest that money into further Homeswest accommodation. Therefore, we have agreed to the further six months, but thereafter we want to return to that principle of 25 per cent of income. That has been long established and it is fair. Indeed, it is fair to those on the Homeswest waiting list and those who are in higher cost private rental accommodation who would like to have a Homeswest rental, so I think that it is a totally appropriate and fair outcome.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition was not. I am trying to answer his question seriously, but I will not if members opposite are not going to be serious about it. The states agreed that they would provide an exemption or a moratorium for 12 months and that was extended subsequently to 18 months. The long-term principle has been that Homeswest rentals should be 25 per cent of income. That is there for good reason; it is equitable to all Homeswest tenants and it gives capacity to invest that money into further Homeswest accommodation. Therefore, we have agreed to the further six months, but thereafter we want to return to that principle of 25 per cent of income. That has been long established and it is fair. Indeed, it is fair to those on the Homeswest waiting list and those who are in higher cost private rental accommodation who would like to have a Homeswest rental, so I think that it is a totally appropriate and fair outcome.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition was not. I am trying to answer his question seriously, but I will not if members opposite are not going to be serious about it. The states agreed that they would provide an exemption or a moratorium for 12 months and that was extended subsequently to 18 months. The long-term principle has been that Homeswest rentals should be 25 per cent of income. That is there for good reason; it is equitable to all Homeswest tenants and it gives capacity to invest that money into further Homeswest accommodation. Therefore, we have agreed to the further six months, but thereafter we want to return to that principle of 25 per cent of income. That has been long established and it is fair. Indeed, it is fair to those on the Homeswest waiting list and those who are in higher cost private rental accommodation who would like to have a Homeswest rental, so I think that it is a totally appropriate and fair outcome.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition was not. I am trying to answer his question seriously, but I will not if members opposite are not going to be serious about it. The states agreed that they would provide an exemption or a moratorium for 12 months and that was extended subsequently to 18 months. The long-term principle has been that Homeswest rentals should be 25 per cent of income. That is there for good reason; it is equitable to all Homeswest tenants and it gives capacity to invest that money into further Homeswest accommodation. Therefore, we have agreed to the further six months, but thereafter we want to return to that principle of 25 per cent of income. That has been long established and it is fair. Indeed, it is fair to those on the Homeswest waiting list and those who are in higher cost private rental accommodation who would like to have a Homeswest rental, so I think that it is a totally appropriate and fair outcome.
The states agreed that they would provide an exemption or a moratorium for 12 months and that was extended subsequently to 18 months. The long-term principle has been that Homeswest rentals should be 25 per cent of income. That is there for good reason; it is equitable to all Homeswest tenants and it gives capacity to invest that money into further Homeswest accommodation. Therefore, we have agreed to the further six months, but thereafter we want to return to that principle of 25 per cent of income. That has been long established and it is fair. Indeed, it is fair to those on the Homeswest waiting list and those who are in higher cost private rental accommodation who would like to have a Homeswest rental, so I think that it is a totally appropriate and fair outcome.
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