Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Ms MARTIN - 1996-10-09

During the appropriation debate in September, the minister said: `I could say that the Housing Commission residences are being maintained to a reasonable and responsible standard'. Is the minister prepared to tell this to the Housing Commission resident of Furnell Crescent in Malak whose house has not been painted for 18 years, or to the resident in Nakara who produced a medical certificate to the Housing Commission stating why she could not paint her own home, but was told that it was her problem and that she had to arrange for somebody to do it? Will he say it to the aged couple of 78 and 80, one of whom has just had a hip replacement operation, who were given 2 weeks to repair the flyscreens at their Housing Commission home? Is this the standard of maintenance that the minister believes Housing Commission residents should be happy with?

ANSWER

Mr Speaker, obviously, from time to time, there will be tenants who feel disaffected about the maintenance regime. However, let me say that the Housing Commission has recently adopted the building assets management system. I understand that each and every asset held by the Housing Commission has either been assessed or is in the process of being assessed in terms of building assets management. The commission will undertake cyclical maintenance as and when required.

Page 1640

Given the size of the housing stock and limited resources, we do our best to provide reasonable accommodation standards. The Housing Commission certainly cannot be held responsible for what can be described only as tenant damage to houses. However, the great majority of our tenants are reasonably satisfied with the service they receive from the Housing Commission and are reasonably satisfied with the standard of accommodation provided.

Ms Martin: What a load of rubbish!

Mr PALMER: From time to time, there may be those who feel aggrieved but, generally, most tenants of the Housing Commission are well satisfied with the level of service and the service delivery that the commission provides.

Page 1641
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016