❓ Hon Steve Martin asks about the number of warnings, termination notices, and evictions related to drug activity in public housing. The Department of Housing and Works states it doesn't track drug activity data separately and a manual review would be required, deemed an unreasonable use of resources.
AnsweredQoN 502Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to drug activity in public housing, and I ask: (a) for each financial year 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, and year-to-date 2025-26: (i) how many written warnings or breach notices were issued to public housing tenants where drug activity was identified as a factor; (ii) how many termination notices were issued to public housing tenants where drug activity was identified as a factor; and (iii) how many court-ordered terminations or evictions were made relating to drug activity at public housing properties?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 October 2025
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Housing and Works
Response time
7 days
a) i – iii)
The Department of Housing and Works (the Department) investigates disruptive behaviour complaints in accordance with its obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 . The Department is not a law enforcement agency and does not have the power to investigate suspected illegal activities.
Data for the number of public housing tenants who have engaged illegal drug activities is not captured in a reportable data table separate from illegal use of premises. Providing this data would require a manual review of individual case files and is not considered a reasonable use of government resources.
The Department of Housing and Works (the Department) investigates disruptive behaviour complaints in accordance with its obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 . The Department is not a law enforcement agency and does not have the power to investigate suspected illegal activities.
Data for the number of public housing tenants who have engaged illegal drug activities is not captured in a reportable data table separate from illegal use of premises. Providing this data would require a manual review of individual case files and is not considered a reasonable use of government resources.
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