COOBER PEDY, HOUSING

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (15:02): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for State/Local Government Relations, representing the Minister for Housing, a question about the proposed Coober Pedy transitional housing development.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: Recently, I have been contacted by constituents who have inquired about the proposed Coober Pedy transitional housing development. Aboriginal people, particularly from the APY lands, who visit Coober Pedy are either sleeping on the street or bunking 20 people into one house.

My understanding is that the proposal for transitional housing development has state government support; therefore, the need for support from the federal government and ongoing federal funding is vital. My question is: will the minister make urgent representations to the Rudd federal government to lock in funding for the proposed development?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (15:03): I thank the honourable member for his question and will refer it to the Minister for Housing in another place and bring back a response.