Page 4660 - Week 12 - Thursday, 1 November 2018
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What impact has the decision to call in the $50 million revolving finance facility and cancel the MOU guaranteeing CHC access to land had on the supply of affordable housing in Canberra?
MS BERRY: I nod because I note Mr Stanhope’s notoriety and his penmanship, if you like, on issues of this government. I have not read the article, but I am not surprised that Mr Parton has read the article and has come here and asked a question about it in the Assembly.
Opposition members interjecting—
MS BERRY: Well, you know. The ACT government has just announced an additional 151 dwellings that will go to community housing providers. Of course, with the line that was provided to CHC for $50 million and then a further $13 million, more than $13 million, to provide community housing in the ACT, that work is still continuing. The ACT government will continue to work closely with community housing organisations like CHC.
MR PARTON: Will these changes in regard to the $50 million revolving finance lead to CHC ceasing to build affordable housing and to sell existing rental stock in order to pay bills?
MS BERRY: I believe that is an assumption that Mr Stanhope made in his article, but the case is that the ACT government has just announced an increase of 151 dwellings for community housing providers in the ACT in 12 months. That is more than the sector has been able to deliver in four years and it shows that the ACT government is committed to working with community housing providers to provide affordable rentals and homes to the ACT community.
Mr Coe: A point of order.
MADAM SPEAKER: A point of order. Resume your seat, minister.
Mr Coe: On relevance, Mr Parton’s question was specifically about whether it was going to lead to CHC ceasing to build. I note that the minister has made reference to the government’s in-house program but not to CHC’s program.
MADAM SPEAKER: Minister, you have a minute-plus if you can provide that answer.
MS BERRY: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I did at the start say that that was an assumption made by Mr Stanhope, but I would say that the ACT government is not responsible for the management of CHC’s work as far as the building or renting of their homes is concerned.
MS LAWDER: Minister, has the government called in the MOU guaranteeing the CHC access to land in order to make higher profits from your sale of land?
MS BERRY: No.
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