Page 5419 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 16 November 2010
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manage complex tenancies and their impact on the community, as well as increased costs for maintaining, repairing and upgrading stock portfolio. For the majority of jurisdictions in Australia, except the ACT, the response to these pressures has been to sell properties in order to reduce maintenance and property costs and fund ongoing operational costs. The ACT government has not taken this approach. Stock numbers have been maintained over the life of this government. By the end of the nation building program, we will add over 500 new houses to our stock.
The national funding system provides perverse incentives for jurisdictions to sell stock, and there is no penalty for jurisdictions that have reduced their portfolio over time. The commonwealth government funding of states and territories is allocated on a per capita basis, rather than the proportion of public housing dwellings managed. So the less stock you have, the higher per property share of the available funding there is to maintain stock and support tenancies. This funding system significantly disadvantages the ACT, as we have the highest ratio of public housing stock in Australia and a commitment to maintain the stock numbers.
The 11,500 properties owned by Housing ACT are almost eight per cent of the total dwellings in Canberra, which gives the ACT the highest ratio of public housing in Australia. The ACT continues to press the case for funding reform to remove those perverse incentives to reduce stock numbers, and the funding issue is under discussion and negotiation as part of the ongoing work of the housing ministers under the national affordable housing agreement.
In summary, I have provided a broad overview of some of the major reforms and issues I am progressing with my colleagues under the national affordable housing agreement. With respect to community housing, we are growing and supporting the sector. I have also painted the picture of increasing targeting of public housing and the impact that has on the rental revenue stream of all state and territory housing authorities and the social impact as well.
From creating vibrant community housing organisations to growing social housing stock and supporting tenants and applicants most in need, it is clear that this government is at the forefront of progressive social change.
Planning, Public Works and Territory and Municipal Services—Standing Committee
Report 8
MS PORTER (Ginninderra) (11.47): I present the following report:
Planning, Public Works and Territory and Municipal Services—Standing Committee—Report 8—Variation to the Territory Plan No 298—Holt Section 99 Part Block 11 (Belconnen Golf Course)—Structure Plan, Concept Plan and Zone Changes, dated 3 November 2010, including additional comments (Ms Le Couteur), together with the transmittal letter and a copy of the extracts of the relevant minutes of proceedings.
I move:
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