HOUSING — REMOTE COMMUNITIES FUND
307. Ms D.G. D'ANNA to the Minister for Housing:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's significant investment in housing and homelessness
services across Western Australia. Can the minister update the house on the
$350 million of funding in the state budget for the remote communities fund,
and outline how this fund will improve the lives of Aboriginal people living in
remote communities across Western Australia?
Mr J.N.
CAREY replied:
I thank the member for her question
and her advocacy.
I
am deeply proud to be part of the McGowan government. Only last September, in
last year's state budget, we announced
a record injection of $875 million into social housing—more than $2 billion
over four years. Yesterday, I saw our first homes go off as part of our modular
program, in which we are producing 200 modular homes—150 in the regions—and
we saw off the first four, which are heading up to Tom Price. Our current
budget really shows that our strong economic management is delivering for the
most vulnerable in Western Australia. That is why we have set aside a new fund:
$350 million for remote Aboriginal communities in Western Australia. That is on
top of the $100 million we already invest in maintenance services. We also
already undertake other investments in water treatment plants and other
upgrades. Of course, we have a community grants scheme for Aboriginal housing
upgrades and maintenance.
We know that the issues are complex
and we know they are difficult, but this signals a very clear commitment from
this government to improve water and power and to bring back housing stock in
those remote communities. Of course, this has
in part been triggered by the complete failure of the Liberal and National
Parties. I note that the state opposition said nothing; there was
silence on this fund. Of course, we know the opposition's record and Colin Barnett's record in government, and
their chaotic approach to remote communities. This fund was also created
because, in 2018, the federal government walked away from the national
partnership arrangement. As a result of that
decision, it ripped out $100 million per year from remote communities, despite
the fact that remote communities have always historically been the
responsibility of federal governments.
I have to say that there was one
very strong, warm welcome, even though there was silence from the Liberals and
Nats—not surprising, given their record. That was from the former
Leader of the Opposition, Zak Kirkup, who actually said it was ''outstanding
leadership'' to deliver.
Ms R. Saffioti interjected.
Mr
J.N. CAREY: They did not say
anything, minister, because it does not matter to the Liberals or Nationals.
They do not care. There is no
recognition from them, no funding commitments, and their federal counterparts
rip everything out of the system. I am deeply proud, as part of the
government, that that $350 million has been set aside and that we can make a serious
investment in upgrading housing, water and power in remote communities.