TRANSITIONAL ACCOMMODATION CENTRES

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg) (14:25): I did have a question for the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation but I was so inspired by the Minister for Housing that I will ask her this question.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Ms CHAPMAN: Given the minister's answer on the new cluster that she is proposing, can she advise the house whether the use of existing housing in this cluster will actually comply with the federal funding rules under that initiative?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability) (14:25): Yes, we received federal government funding for this transitional housing program and, as I have said, it has been incredibly difficult to find a site that is both acceptable to Aboriginal people—

Ms Chapman: It's your new cluster.

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: —and the existing communities. I have been frustrated that we haven't been able to get a location. Part of the dilemma is the location but also the design of that, so we are not talking about town camp accommodation, we are talking about appropriate accommodation for Aboriginal people in this city as they come and go. So, we will be, in the first instance, using existing accommodation with appropriate supports in place to support—

The SPEAKER: Order! Point of order, member for Bragg.

Ms CHAPMAN: It appears that the minister didn't actually understand or hear my question because the minister is talking about what she plans to do with this cluster, apparently in the next few months. My question is: does it comply with the federal funding rules under this initiative to be able to use those existing buildings rather than build a new one?

The SPEAKER: Thank you. I think you are being particularly pedantic today about the way questions are being answered. These are issues that are hitting the airwaves and people are interested—I am certainly interested in the response. I think the minister is answering the question appropriately, but I will listen very carefully.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Thank you, Madam Speaker. There is nothing precluding us using existing Housing SA stock to house Aboriginal people. What we will continue to do—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: —is try and find a suitable site where we can provide specific transitional accommodation, and perhaps the member for Bragg might have a site in her electorate we can use.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!