HOUSING SA SMOKE ALARMS

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (14:42): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, representing the Minister for Social Housing, questions regarding smoke alarms.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: The government introduced regulations that state that properties sold or bought after a certain date must be fitted with a 240 volt, mains powered smoke alarm. This is consistent with the national building code and clearly shows a preference for properties to have hardwired, rather than battery-operated, smoke alarms. My questions are:

1. Can the minister advise how many Housing SA properties have hardwired smoke alarms out of the total number of its properties?

2. Does Housing SA have a program to install hardwired smoke alarms in properties which have only battery-powered smoke alarms? If so, could the minister provide details of this?

3. What is Housing SA's policy of replacing the batteries for both the hardwired alarms and the battery-powered alarms?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:43): I thank the honourable member for his important question on smoke alarms. I will take those questions to the Minister for Social Housing in another place and seek a response on his behalf.