Riverland Housing

Ms WORTLEY (Torrens) (15:16): My question is to the Minister for Social Housing. Can the minister tell the house how a new project highlights how Housing SA is supporting people in the Riverland?

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) (15:17): I am very pleased to report to the house that a new collection of personal stories from Housing SA clients living in the Riverland has been released in both booklet and calendar form. The new publication, Home, where we are, features stories from 24 Riverland locals, detailing their housing hopes, struggles and experiences. While their experiences—

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer is warned for the second and final time. Minister for Social Housing.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: While their experiences are quite different, one thing they have in common is how important to them their home is. Launched in Berri a month ago, the booklet is the result of a series of interviews with tenants conducted by local Riverland Housing SA staff. Mr Speaker, can I say how pleased I was that so many people candidly shared their personal stories for this project.

The stories are often very raw and very revealing but, ultimately, very uplifting. Whether it is the mother whose children have finally been able to settle in at school or the family that has been reunited because they now have safe, affordable accommodation, these are inspiring stories from South Australians who have faced many challenges. Sharing their experiences also provided the participants with an opportunity to reflect on and articulate their stories of struggle and change. A common thread throughout the booklet is a strong love for the Riverland, and the tenants proudly speak about the many things they love about the region.

Reading these very personal accounts makes you appreciate your own feelings about home and enables you to identify with the very human need to be safe, comfortable and connected to a community. Many of us will have something in common with the people who have so generously shared their stories. If I may, Mr Speaker, I would like to share with the house a little bit about one of the people who told his story.

James Buick moved to the Riverland three years ago from the Barossa Valley, where he lived in a small caravan in a friend's backyard. James had lost his own house after a relationship breakdown, and he struggled to find work due to an acquired brain injury. Tragically, the injury was the result of an assault in 1993 by a group of people. James explains how he has since built a strong connection to the local community through the Barmera Men's Shed, how he enjoys giving back to the community by fixing things and providing transport for locals without a car. I urge members to visit the ABC Riverland website and listen to presenter Narelle Graham's excellent interview with James.

These stories also highlight Housing SA's successful history of helping vulnerable South Australians and they demonstrate how Housing SA's blueprint for 2013-18 and its vision of connecting people to place is working to improve lives. As the social housing minister, I sincerely thank everyone who generously contributed their stories. I would like to personally thank the dedicated staff at Housing SA in Berri for collecting and collating these inspiring stories. After visiting the Housing SA office in Berri during country cabinet last week, I was impressed with the dedication of the staff to the housing needs of the vulnerable living in the Riverland.