Housing Safety Authority

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (15:11): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Human Services regarding housing improvements.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.E. HANSON: On 17 February 2021, the Housing Safety Authority issued an order for the owner of a private rental property to deal with 'high levels of methamphetamine' and 'dangerous levels of phosphorous'. The order gives the landlord six months, until 17 August, to comply with the order. The home is currently being rented by a retiree couple who have contacted the minister's office and many other government agencies seeking help. My questions to the minister are:

1. Why haven't you exercised your powers under the act, powers that only the minister holds, to issue a rent control order so that the tenants aren't required to pay rent on a home that they can't live in and that your own agency has declared to be dangerously contaminated with drugs and chemicals?

2. Have you even issued a preliminary notice under section 25 of the act?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (15:12): I thank the honourable member for his question. The particular case that he has outlined to me is not one that I am familiar with, so I will take that on notice and seek a response from my agency and bring it back.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Hanson, a supplementary. It's a bit tough to get one out of that but I will listen to you.