HOUSING SOLUTIONS SUMMIT
380. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Minister for Housing:
I have a supplementary question. If
everything is on the table to address the housing crisis, why did the minister
think the summit was not important enough to attend?
Mr J.N.
CAREY replied:
There
are two things. First, I am a very open and accessible minister. I have met
with a large number of stakeholders, including Shelter WA on two
occasions. I want to address this issue because the member for North West Central
seems to be such a keen proponent for Shelter WA and some of its proposals. As
I have said on the public record very clearly, there is a nuanced and complex
approach to delivering public housing. It is not as simplistic as some advocacy
groups suggest, including the suggestions for the member for North West Central's
electorate, and I will give an example. Shelter WA is on the public record with
the suggestion that using vacant suburban land in Carnarvon, I should build 157 one-bedroom units. That seems great, but
actually there is complexity to the equation for these simple reasons. Firstly, there is no demand for 157
one-bedroom units; in fact, what we need in many regions is culturally
appropriate accommodation. Secondly, we have to think about, as I have flagged
before, the complexities of high-density social precincts and suburbs. I would
be interested in the member for North West Central's approach
and attitude and what nearby households may think when potential antisocial
behaviour develops as a result of a Shelter WA proposal to put 157 one-bedroom
units in a small suburb or precinct of Carnarvon. Does the member for North West
Central support that measure?
Mr V.A. Catania interjected.
Mr J.N. CAREY: Do you support
that measure, member?
Several members interjected.
Mr
J.N. CAREY: We hear from this
member, who is so simplistic in his analysis. He has been to the Barnaby Joyce
school of media training—say whatever and do whatever to get a headline.
We saw it on the Pindan issue, when he said, ''Terminate the contract
and put at risk 90 jobs in the regions.''
Mr V.A. Catania interjected.
Mr J.N. CAREY: That was your
advocacy! I have to say this: members in the member for North West Central's
community have thanked me personally for taking a prudent approach to Pindan
and securing 90 jobs, including jobs in the member's electorate. The
member may not care about that. He may be after a headline in his reckless
approach, but I am very clear that on both our housing and homelessness
strategies and in dealing with those sorts of issues, this government has got
it right.