Housing Authority

The Hon. I. PNEVMATIKOS (14:52): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Human Services regarding housing.

Leave granted.

The Hon. I. PNEVMATIKOS: The member for Cheltenham in another place wrote to the minister in August about urgent maintenance needs at the home of Mr Nathan Andersen of Findon. This matter was featured on television last weekend. Mr Andersen's bathroom ceiling had severe mould due to a leaking pipe in the flat above. This was reported to Housing SA seven months ago, in March. Contractors removed a large section of ceiling to test for asbestos but then left a gaping hole open in the roof.

Mr Andersen has four children, who now have to use a substandard bathroom out of necessity and continue to be exposed to health risks. This is despite the South Australian Housing Authority spending a tiny fraction of the $24.1 million that was approved for extra maintenance in a year after it was approved in the last budget. In this place yesterday, the minister spoke about how this money was on top of a maintenance budget of $150 million. My questions to the minister are:

1. Why are people being left in substandard housing conditions when you have millions of dollars in approved maintenance funds that have not been spent?

2. How long does Mr Nathan Andersen of Findon have to live with a gaping hole in his bathroom ceiling and threats to his family's health?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:54): I thank the honourable member for her question, and I assume that she and the local member have permission to raise his concerns in the public domain. On that basis, I can provide some advice that the Housing Authority has been aware of Mr Andersen's requests.

There have been various assessments made since earlier this year. I think it's fair to say that it hasn't been a satisfactory process, from my point of view, that's been managed in this particular case and there have been mistakes made. My understanding is that Mr Andersen has actually been relocated from his unit so that those repairs can be made and to make provision for his and his family's health needs.