Homelessness Sector Reform

The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:59): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Human Services regarding the homelessness sector reference group.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.T. NGO: On 3 September 2020, the homelessness sector reference group was shown a presentation on sector reform, which contained tender deadlines and key dates regarding homelessness service tenders. This group only includes a small number of the organisations that currently deliver services or that may bid on new service contracts. Other members of the sector were told later and had less time to prepare for the bid process. This raises questions about probity and fairness. When challenged about delays to maintenance stimulus spending in this place, the minister relied heavily on probity base, saying, and I quote:

…in terms of there being reasons why things might take longer than we hoped. Particularly within government, there are probity issues that need to be dealt with, particular policies which are applied, which are more than appropriate to ensure that any of the contracts that have been let have been done appropriately.

My questions to the minister are:

1. Does the minister believe that it is fair and within the government's own probity and procurement guidelines to give unfair advantage to some members of the sector whilst others are left in the dark?

2. Why does the minister use probity to explain her own delays but not demand probity when it would ensure fairness in procurement?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (15:01): I thank the honourable member for his question. From recollection, the CE of the Housing Authority has already responded to some similar questions in another venue. My understanding of this specific issue is that it wasn't a very long time period between when the sector reference group was given those time frames and when the general sector was also provided with that information. I further understand that the Housing Authority had specific probity advice in relation to this matter. If that is not correct, I will bring back a further response to the chamber.