❓ Mr. Bolt questions the Premier about the increasing social housing waitlist and problematic tenants. The Premier defends the government's housing investment and initiatives, highlighting achievements in housing completions and affordability measures.
AnsweredQoN 661Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Housing—Supply
661. Mr David Bolt to
the Premier:
I refer to the statistics
that show that as at the end of September, 7,755 applications for social
housing were on the priority waitlist, which was an increase of 1,640
applications in the past 12 months and a 367% increase in six years.
(1)
Why does the government state that it is pulling every lever when the number of
applications on the priority social housing waitlist has blown out to these
unacceptable levels?
(2)
Given that WA police have attended Ninth Avenue, Inglewood, nearly every day in
September and October, why are the troublemaking tenants continued to be given
a home when there are so many people waiting on the priority waitlist?
The Speaker: Member, that was quite a lengthy question.
It makes it hard for me to recall the actual question.
661. Mr David Bolt to
the Premier:
I refer to the statistics
that show that as at the end of September, 7,755 applications for social
housing were on the priority waitlist, which was an increase of 1,640
applications in the past 12 months and a 367% increase in six years.
(1)
Why does the government state that it is pulling every lever when the number of
applications on the priority social housing waitlist has blown out to these
unacceptable levels?
(2)
Given that WA police have attended Ninth Avenue, Inglewood, nearly every day in
September and October, why are the troublemaking tenants continued to be given
a home when there are so many people waiting on the priority waitlist?
The Speaker: Member, that was quite a lengthy question.
It makes it hard for me to recall the actual question.
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2)
It was a veritable menu of questions, Mr Speaker, but I am very happy to
provide the house with information.
Mr John Carey interjected.
The Speaker: Minister!
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members, when you are ready.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! The Premier is on his feet.
Please let him respond to the question.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition and minister.
The member for Scarborough has a point of order.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Sorry, the member for Cottesloe. It is on
the coast! I live too far away from the coast now.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! Sorry, that was my fault. Member
for Cottesloe.
Point of order
Ms Sandra Brewer: I am concerned by the behaviour of
the member for Perth. He is calling people animal names and imitating an animal
in the chamber.
The Speaker: Thank you, member. I will not uphold that
point of order. I just remind everyone that the Premier is trying to respond to
a question.
Questions without notice resumed
Mr Roger Cook: The member may or may not be aware that
since 2012, we have invested $5.8 billion in housing and homelessness measures.
We have delivered more than 3,500 social homes, with a further 1,000 under
contract or construction.
Mr Lachlan Hunter interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Central Wheatbelt, I am going
to call you for the first time—unnecessary interjections.
Mr Roger Cook: We are also partnering with the
Albanese government to deliver almost 1,800 more social and affordable homes in
WA. In addition, we have delivered $350 million to the Remote Communities Fund
to build new refurbished housing for remote and town-based Aboriginal
communities. We have accelerated the social and affordable housing supply
through alternative build programs, nation-leading planning reforms,
pre-approved statewide small and medium builder panels and we have also
provided $200 million towards community housing grants. We have delivered on
our commitment to raise the stamp duty threshold, saving homebuyers and
regional people thousands of dollars. We have reduced Keystart's interest rates
policy, providing relief to clients and making income eligibility and property
cap limits fairer.
No government has
done more to boost housing stock in this state than my government. That is the reason
why we have seen over 22,600 completions in the last 12 months alone, a recent
record high. As a result of that, we continue to see more homes made available
for more Western Australians. We want Western Australians to have a roof over
their heads. We will continue to do more, and we will do it in the face of opposition.
Every time we start to see housing innovation take
place, medium and higher density, making sure that we continue to build the density
in our suburbs so people can access a home, those opposite oppose it. We will continue
to make sure that we grow the housing stock, particularly in social and
affordable homes, so that we can provide everyone in Western Australia with the
opportunity to have a home.
It was a veritable menu of questions, Mr Speaker, but I am very happy to
provide the house with information.
Mr John Carey interjected.
The Speaker: Minister!
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members, when you are ready.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! The Premier is on his feet.
Please let him respond to the question.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition and minister.
The member for Scarborough has a point of order.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Sorry, the member for Cottesloe. It is on
the coast! I live too far away from the coast now.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! Sorry, that was my fault. Member
for Cottesloe.
Point of order
Ms Sandra Brewer: I am concerned by the behaviour of
the member for Perth. He is calling people animal names and imitating an animal
in the chamber.
The Speaker: Thank you, member. I will not uphold that
point of order. I just remind everyone that the Premier is trying to respond to
a question.
Questions without notice resumed
Mr Roger Cook: The member may or may not be aware that
since 2012, we have invested $5.8 billion in housing and homelessness measures.
We have delivered more than 3,500 social homes, with a further 1,000 under
contract or construction.
Mr Lachlan Hunter interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Central Wheatbelt, I am going
to call you for the first time—unnecessary interjections.
Mr Roger Cook: We are also partnering with the
Albanese government to deliver almost 1,800 more social and affordable homes in
WA. In addition, we have delivered $350 million to the Remote Communities Fund
to build new refurbished housing for remote and town-based Aboriginal
communities. We have accelerated the social and affordable housing supply
through alternative build programs, nation-leading planning reforms,
pre-approved statewide small and medium builder panels and we have also
provided $200 million towards community housing grants. We have delivered on
our commitment to raise the stamp duty threshold, saving homebuyers and
regional people thousands of dollars. We have reduced Keystart's interest rates
policy, providing relief to clients and making income eligibility and property
cap limits fairer.
No government has
done more to boost housing stock in this state than my government. That is the reason
why we have seen over 22,600 completions in the last 12 months alone, a recent
record high. As a result of that, we continue to see more homes made available
for more Western Australians. We want Western Australians to have a roof over
their heads. We will continue to do more, and we will do it in the face of opposition.
Every time we start to see housing innovation take
place, medium and higher density, making sure that we continue to build the density
in our suburbs so people can access a home, those opposite oppose it. We will continue
to make sure that we grow the housing stock, particularly in social and
affordable homes, so that we can provide everyone in Western Australia with the
opportunity to have a home.
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