Page 1517 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 10 May 2017
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housing developments announced recently on community facilities land in a number of suburbs across our city.
I want to remind members, and others that are present, about the public housing that we are replacing. This is public housing that was built at another time for another need and it certainly no longer meets the needs of public housing tenants. We are attempting to build, and have been building, new, higher quality housing that is much easier for Housing ACT to maintain and that, for our tenants, is much more affordable to heat and cool and much better meets their needs. It is more adaptable housing for people to live in over periods of their lives when they have increasing needs, regardless of what their abilities are.
Mr Hanson talked about it being about money. Yes, it is absolutely about money. It is about acknowledging that there are people in our community who do not have very much, who have very little or nothing at all, and our job as a government and a community is to acknowledge that and give them a hand up when they need it. We as a government are attempting to provide support to the people who need it most. Every person who lives in the city has goals and aspirations for a decent life.
Members interjecting—
MS BERRY: Madam Speaker, I listened very quietly while opposition members spoke on this. I sat here, listened and acknowledged everything they said while remaining quiet. They are still mumbling and muttering as I am trying to put my point across, and I think I am entitled to the same quietness afforded to them. Every person who lives in this city—
Mr Wall interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Wall, the minister has a point. Your side was heard in silence and I would expect the minister to be heard in silence.
MS BERRY: Every person who lives in this city has the same kinds of goals and aspirations for a decent life for themselves and their families. And it should no less be the case for people who reside in public housing. I strongly believe that the majority of people who live in these communities will be able to work with the government to reach a consensus. That consensus could be reached where there is a will to do that.
It has been reported back to me that some members of the Canberra Liberals have been using language in community meetings that is creating division in the community between neighbours across suburbs and across this city. That should not be the case, and it is not what I am hearing back from people whom I have been talking to in those suburbs. Certainly, when we have done work with the community to find out whether there is support for public housing, over 73 per cent said that they would support and would be happy to have public housing within their suburbs.
Mrs Jones has been the compassionate and considerate voice of the Liberal Party on this matter. I have heard her speak a number of times in this place and also at
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