Housing SA

Ms SANDERSON (Adelaide) (14:55): Final supplementary: what is the minister doing to reduce the vacancy rates, assuming that there are more than zero? I assume then you will be working on bringing that down.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:55): We have a great history to tell about public housing, where we have the highest percentage of public housing in Australia in South Australia. We endeavour to work with our tenants and those on the waiting list to provide housing as soon as possible. As the Speaker would be aware, we do have different categories of people on the list: category 1, 2 and 3, depending on their needs.

Obviously, we will work to fulfil vacancies as soon as possible. We need to look at the vacancy rate compared to needs of the people on the list, the condition of the property, and also whether we may be selling that house or looking for a rejuvenation. But I will fulfil that information and come back.