Legislative Council: Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Contents

Hove Level Crossing

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (15:06): Further supplementary: given that answer, will the minister review—

The PRESIDENT: Arising out of the original answer?

The Hon. J.E. HANSON: Arising out of the original answer, Mr President. I am just conscious that sometimes things evolve. Will the minister review the key strategic direction to put the needs of customers first, given that this won't happen, as she has just stated, where cabinet consideration of budget decisions mean that you can't?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (15:06): I think it does deserve to be also that part of when tenants sign their lease, there is a clause in there that advises that when there are matters which may arise of this nature the Housing Authority as the landlord has the authority to engage in the relocation process. Those are clauses that have existed for 16 years under Labor.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: I think most people appreciate—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: I think most people appreciate that if there is to be a—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Hunter!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: I think people do appreciate that if there is to be such a significant project such as this, and particularly when those particular sites were identified, regardless of which option was taken, those tenants would need to be relocated. We have undertaken that. A number of tenants have been relocated. They may be happy at their new location. They may well be happy at their relocation. They may actually prefer to be where they are. If they prefer to be where they are, then they are entitled to stay under the conditions of their tenancy. If they wish to relocate to their former place of residence, they will also be offered that opportunity. We have paid relocation costs for them to relocate out of Hove.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order, the Hon. Mr Hunter!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: We will provide relocation costs for people to return to Hove, if that is their wish. I think that most people would appreciate that those are the best options that we can provide.