House of Assembly: Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Contents

Housing SA

Mr KNOLL (Schubert) (14:52): My question is again to the Minister for Social Housing. Can the minister advise if her department's first investigation into the illegal room letting at a Housing SA property by Mr Patterson at Goodwood was flawed?

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) (14:52): I didn't hear the end of that question.

The SPEAKER: The illegal tenanting by Mr Patterson of Goodwood, whether that was flawed.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: My apologies, Mr Speaker; I just didn't hear that. The investigation that has currently happened has been completed and the tenant provided records of bookings and bank records. The outcome is that back rent was charged on the extra income he received. It was a breach of his tenancy and he is on a final warning.

Given the situation, and reflecting on what has happened in the past, I did talk to the department about updating and contemporising their policy in regard to tenancy agreements, policies, procedures and public documents. Obviously, we have seen quite a growth in online businesses and what we have changed is the home visit guidelines and business investigation. I think with increase in online businesses we certainly need to be stronger in making sure people are aware that they must inform the department if they are operating a business from their premises.

The SPEAKER: Mr Patterson's being on a final warning is something he has in common with the member for Schubert. The member for Schubert, supplementary.