Public Housing

The Hon. M.C. PARNELL (15:10): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Human Services about solar panels on public housing.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M.C. PARNELL: On 10 September, I asked the minister about the progress of one of the commitments given to the Greens by the Treasurer during the Land Tax Bill debate last year, namely that the government will install solar panels on a minimum of 75 per cent of all suitable existing public housing. The minister took the question on notice and brought back a reply yesterday, for which I am grateful; however, the reply didn't answer all the questions that I asked, so I will invite the minister again to consult with her department and bring back answers to the following questions:

1. How many public housing properties does the SA Housing Authority currently own or control?

2. How many of these SA Housing Authority properties have been identified as suitable for solar panels to be installed?

3. Exactly how many of these properties have had panels installed to date?

4. Within what time frame will the government install solar panels on the remainder of the 75 per cent of suitable public housing properties?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (15:12): I thank the honourable member for his question. The answer in relation to how many properties we own and manage is approximately 35,000. I have seen a figure recently in relation to the number which I think had been assessed as suitable for solar panels. It was somewhere between I think 5,000 and 10,000, but I will need to get those exact figures. I will endeavour to answer the questions that he has asked and bring that back to the chamber.