AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:59): My question is to the Minister for Housing. Can the minister advise the house of the latest developments under the National Rental Affordability Scheme?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability) (15:59): I thank the member for Florey for her question and her ongoing support for affordable housing in South Australia. It is fortuitous that she would ask this question now.

We all know that the stimulus program is delivering a huge boost to housing, jobs and training in South Australia through the biggest social housing build program in 20 years. At least 1,378 new homes will be added to public and community housing here in South Australia.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: 11,000 for you. For you.

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Your lot sold 11,000. Now I am very pleased to report that the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) will deliver almost triple the number of new affordable homes provided through the stimulus package, with 3,800 new homes that must be rented at at least 20 per cent below market rates to low and middle income households. Federal funding, combined with almost $100 million in state money, is providing incentives to private landlords to become an integral part of our affordable housing system. We have been working with the commonwealth for the last two years on this program and 640 houses are now complete and, at the start of October, the commonwealth confirmed South Australia's full share of this national program.

This program is smart, targeted and strategic. Most importantly, it fills a gap created by the previous state and commonwealth Liberal governments in 1996 when they agreed to focus public housing on those with the highest need and lowest income while selling 11,000 properties and putting in place nothing to help battling families that need affordable housing. NRAS projects are approved on the basis of a range of factors, including proximity to public transport and services, providing the right type of housing to address the needs of individual communities, and an agreement to consider applicants on the public housing waiting list such as those in categories 2 and 3.

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and that is why this government is strengthening every link in the system. $213 million is being invested in homelessness services over four years. The stimulus package, which the Liberals voted against, is giving a $434 million boost to social housing. The National Partnership on Remote Indigenous Housing is putting $292 million into Aboriginal communities. NRAS and the Affordable Housing Innovations Fund are providing affordable rental. The 15 per cent affordable housing policy, which the Liberals would have scrapped if they had won the 2010 election, is ensuring—

Mr WILLIAMS: Point of order, Madam Speaker.

The SPEAKER: Order! There is a point of order.

Mr WILLIAMS: The minister is clearly debating the answer to the question.

The SPEAKER: Order! Sit down, thank you, member for MacKillop. Minister, will you get back to the substance of the question?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Thank you, Madam Speaker. In fact, it was their policy to scrap the 15 per cent affordable housing policy. This policy is ensuring affordable purchase and rental opportunities in all new developments, the Property Locator is giving low and middle income households the chance to buy an affordable home before investors, HomeStart continues to help provide finance to buyers who often cannot get help from a bank, and all this is tied by the Access Project which is developing a single register and assessment process for housing services.

In contrast, the Liberals' weak link started with their appalling history in housing, compounded by their utter lack of any new policy. A decade in opposition is surely enough time to have one original idea about how to address these—

Mr WILLIAMS: I have a point of order.

The SPEAKER: Order! Point of order. Member for MacKillop.

Mr WILLIAMS: The minister is debating the answer, still, Madam Speaker.

The SPEAKER: Thank you, member for MacKillop. Minister, have you finished your answer? Will you get back to the substance of the question?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: All but, ma'am. Their policy was: move 'em on and move 'em out. The state and federal Labor governments have been at the forefront of new housing policy and, with the ongoing public consultation around our housing green paper, this tradition of innovation and creativity is set to continue for decades to come.