SOCIAL
HOUSING — REGIONS
518. Ms L. DALTON to the Minister for Housing:
I
refer to the McGowan Labor government's record investment in social
housing across Western Australia. Can the minister update the house on
how this record investment will help revitalise regional towns in Western Australia,
including suburbs such as Spalding in my electorate, and can the minister
outline to the house whether he is aware of anyone who does not support this
investment in regional Western Australia?
Mr J.N.
CAREY replied:
I thank the member for the question.
As members are aware, this state government announced the single largest
investment in the state's history—$875 million in social
housing, which will amount to $2.1 billion over the next four years. I am
particularly proud that there is also strong investment in the regions; in
particular, the targeted regional renewal
program. It was great to join the member for Geraldton last week when we
announced a $20 million program for regional renewal. That is about
investing in suburbs with high concentrations of social housing to improve the liveability, safety and urban design
of the suburbs. This is about good planning and making these places more attractive to live. I am pleased to say that
we are investing $9 million in Spalding, thanks to the advocacy of the local
member; $5 million in Withers, Bunbury; and $4 million in Spencer Park. The
Premier was there this week.
I
am pleased to say that we have had a deeply positive response by those local
communities and local governments. I note the gung-ho Mayor of the City of
Greater Geraldton, who said a big thank you to the newly minted housing
minister, John Carey, and MP, Lara Dalton, who have sat through some robust
conversations about the need for action and have worked with the City of Greater Geraldton. He also said that
this is an absolutely fantastic result for the folk in Spalding. He said that
the Spalding precinct plan has been spoken about for years, but to have
Minister Carey come out and announce a solid commitment of $9 million, with
another million for planning, is extremely exciting for the city.
It
is brilliant that our great mate, our great friend, the Mayor of the City of
Greater Geraldton, has come out in support. It is disappointing,
therefore, that the member for Roe is the only critical voice and the only
person to whinge. Last week in the
Parliament, he attacked this investment in these regional communities. He
complained that the investment is all about, and based around, Labor
electorates. I can tell the member for Roe that we represent the majority of regional communities in Western Australia, and we
are investing across regional Western Australia. He also attacked the ''Collie
slush fund'', which is about assisting the transition for that
community. Here we have the member for Roe, who claims to belong to a party
that represents the regions, attacking investment in regional communities. It
is extraordinary. The party that claims to represent the bush is attacking the
communities of Geraldton, Albany, Bunbury and Collie. We are making serious
investments in these communities. There is a clear commitment for social
housing, and it is being delivered by a Labor government.