Housing Trust

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (14:34): 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. C.M. SCRIVEN: On Sunday evening, a 77-year-old woman suffering from dementia was found sitting on the street after waiting for police for four hours to take her to a refuge shelter. The government's Homelessness Gateway was contacted and it was explained that the woman had been evicted from her Housing Authority property late on Friday afternoon. In fact, when she had returned from a medical appointment, she found the locks had been changed on her home.

Unfortunately, because of the dementia suffered by the woman, the refuge was unable to accommodate her. The only option was to attend the Royal Adelaide emergency department. A hotel was eventually found for her at around 11pm. The elderly woman has no family and therefore has no other supports. My questions to the minister are: is the minister aware of this case and can she explain why this woman was evicted on a Friday afternoon without proper assistance in place?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:35): I thank the honourable member for her question. From recollection, that is not a situation that has arisen to me. I have spoken in this place previously in relation to the changed policy in terms of management for disorderly behaviour of tenants which has, as part of its component, to ensure that there is early assistance for people who may have particular vulnerabilities which under other circumstances may have led to evictions.

We have had a situation in South Australia with Housing Trust tenants where the policy hasn't been particularly clear. For those who wilfully misuse their properties, that has sent a clear message that you can get away with bad behaviour and enforcement action wouldn't be taken. On the comments that the member has made, that is certainly not the view that we would take in this particular case. I would dearly like to receive those details from the honourable member so that we can follow up how this situation has taken place and get some more information for her. But I would also advise that the South Australian Housing Authority isn't the only—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Members of the opposition, other members cannot hear the minister, so let's allow the minister to say what she has to say.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: The South Australian Housing Authority isn't the only community housing provider, so it may well be that it's another provider, but without the honourable member providing me with the particular specific details I am unable to comment any further.