Legislative Council Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1) 54 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Ministerial Statement Ministerial Statement Housing Authority Housing Authority The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK Legislative Council Minister for Human Services The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:18): I have a ministerial statement on the new housing authority. As part of the Marshall Liberal government's 100-day plan, we committed to establishing parameters for a new housing authority, amalgamating the functions of Housing SA and Renewal SA. The role of the South Australian Housing Trust has changed considerably since it was established in the 1930s. Once seen as a key economic driver for the state, the Trust is now struggling to meet the changing needs of South Australians experiencing housing affordability issues. Today, the South Australian Housing Trust has shifted from housing families in employment as its principal customer to instead assisting a growing number of South Australians who are at risk and vulnerable, often as single person households. The cost of maintaining ageing assets, an increased need to provide services to assist people to access housing and sustain their tenancy and a dramatic reduction in revenue has put the South Australian Housing Trust at risk of being unable to provide appropriate housing to low income households into the future. Unfortunately, the housing space has been constrained by the shifting and competing priorities of the previous government, resulting in a fragmented and stagnant housing system. This has led to ineffective and outdated administrative arrangements and a governance structure that does not have the capacity to deliver reform. If we want to help more South Australians get a roof over their head and provide them housing stability into the future, then we need all parts of the housing system to be working together. We need existing housing models to be modernised and refined. As the Productivity Commission's recent inquiry report into introducing competition and informed user choice into human services highlighted, Australia's social housing system is broken. Reform is essential. The government's first step towards modernising the housing system is to draw upon the visionary foundations of Playford and bring the Housing Trust into the modern era by operating as a new housing system from 1 July. The parameters of the new housing authority include a new governance structure, a new system-wide focus and a new business model that will drive improved operational performance and customer outcomes. The establishment of a new governance structure will enable transparency, accountability and long-term integrated asset and service planning. This will see housing strategy, asset and service functions previously provided separately by Renewal SA and Housing SA delivered through one accountable entity. Key to the new housing authority's success will be the appointment of a skills-based board, which will work with industry, not-for-profit organisations and, most importantly, communities, families and individuals, to develop and drive much-needed reform. South Australia needs a housing system that is more strategic, sustainable and viable into the future. It needs a system that enables and promotes housing options and pathways to support South Australians achieve their housing aspirations. I am excited about the establishment of the new housing authority and the opportunity to oversee a new strategic housing direction that promises greater social and affordable housing outcomes for South Australians.