SA Housing Authority Property Maintenance

Mr TELFER (Flinders) (14:54): My question is to the Minister for Human Services. What percentage of SA Housing Authority properties that are identified as priority 1 are having maintenance call-outs being attended to within the required time frame? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr TELFER: Properties that are categorised as priority 1 are required to be attended to within four hours.

The Hon. N.F. COOK (Hurtle Vale—Minister for Human Services) (14:54): Again, I would be happy to get back to the member with an accurate time frame on all of those. There is quite a complex breakdown in respect of the numbers, but the maintenance services attend to thousands and thousands of call-outs every year. In terms of the actual breakdown from one category to another, I am really happy to get back with a more accurate figure, but we are working closely with the maintenance head contractors all the time to ensure that we are able to service people.

It's fair to say the public housing maintenance and building sector is under pressure, just like the private sector is, in terms of availability. We are striving to ensure that we have an adequate number of contractors available to ensure that people are able to live in their homes as comfortably as possible, with all the amenities that are required.

I think it is fair to say as well that one of the things that public housing does for people is offer extra support, if there is a delay for any reason, and some essential provisions to homes around water or electricity, and they do in fact offer emergency accommodation on many occasions for people who aren't able to live in their homes with a full suite of service provisions. This is contrary to what happens in private tenancies and private housing situations. I will certainly get back with a more accurate answer for you.