Answers to Questions

Public Housing

In reply to the Hon. T.A. FRANKS (16 February 2021).

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services): I have been advised:

In 2013, the then commonwealth government agreed to waive $320 million of housing debt owed to it by the state government.

The debt forgiveness and associated interest savings resulted in a $365 million saving to SAHT.

However, rather than apply the full debt relief to SAHT the then Labor state government transferred $315 million of this benefit to its own bottom line.

As a result, SAHT saw a reduction in grant revenue of $79 million per annum over a four-year period commencing in 2013-14.

Despite the debt being waived, significant viability sales in the thousands continued.

A reduction in grant revenue of $70 million was extended a further year in 2017-18.

This decision was reversed in June 2018 under the Marshall Liberal government.

The SAHT does not owe any debt to the commonwealth government.

Questions regarding debt arrangements between the state and commonwealth governments can be directed to the Treasurer.