Housing Trust Properties

Ms SANDERSON (Adelaide) (14:25): Back to the Deputy Premier, were the community housing providers aware that there would be $19 million of repairs and maintenance before signing the contract for the 1,100 houses?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Child Protection Reform) (14:25): I don't know where those numbers come from. I have, in the past, been in receipt of questions with various numbers attached to them which don't turn out to be based in any fact. What I can say is this: there was a very rigorous and extensive period of discussion between these providers and Housing SA.

In fact, on the initial 1,100, the discussions have been going on for an extremely long period of time—extremely long. It might be a year or more—very lengthy, anyway. It's been going on for an enormous period of time, and I am absolutely certain there would have been a thorough canvassing of issues between the not-for-profit people who were going to be taking over those properties and Housing SA. But, just in case there is a kernel of truth to the question—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.R. RAU: No, because I am confident—

Mr Marshall: A kernel?

The Hon. J.R. RAU: That's right. The question suggested that Housing SA was in some way being cute or not revealing information to the not-for-profits before the transfer occurs, and I find that a slightly unhelpful suggestion, if it is not absolutely correct. What I am going to do is try to find out whether or not there is any truth to the assertion, as it would appear implicit in that question, that Housing SA was in some way withholding relevant information from these not-for-profit providers.

I will seek to find out the answer to that question, but I come back to the point I made originally: both in the case of Anglicare and in the case of Junction, there were extensive discussions between the state and those agencies. I would be very surprised indeed if matters of maintenance and so on were not discussed, but I will seek a further answer to that question.

Ms SANDERSON: Supplementary?

The SPEAKER: Before a further supplementary, I call to order the member for Stuart, the deputy leader and the Minister for Agriculture. I warn the member for Hartley. By all means, continue the improvisation.