Question Time

Housing Trust Rent

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:20): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Human Services regarding the Housing Trust.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: Rex is a Housing Trust tenant who lives in a small, one-bedroom cottage in Morphett Vale. He relies upon the age pension to make ends meet from week to week. Because of the minister's cruel decision to jack up Rex's weekly rent, he will somehow need to find hundreds of extra dollars each year that would otherwise go towards his groceries, utilities and transport costs. My question to the minister is: can the minister explain to Rex—and the many, many other Housing Trust tenants in the community, some of whom are here today in Parliament House—why he most forgo some of life's basic necessities to try to pay for this government rent increase?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:20): I thank the honourable member for his question. The honourable member did say 'a one-bedroom cottage'. If he is referring to a freestanding dwelling, then Rex—sorry, you didn't say his last name otherwise I would call him Mr Smith, X, whatever—would already be paying 25 per cent.