Hove Level Crossing

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:22): My question is to the Minister for Human Services regarding housing. Minister, given that you have admitted in question time today you knew about the cancellation of the Hove crossing project before the budget was handed down, why did you choose to allow a family with a baby to be evicted from their public housing property just in the last few days? And, minister, what do you say to them and other tenants who were evicted because of a project you knew wasn't going ahead?

The PRESIDENT: I didn't know anything about it. I think you need to rephrase your questions. The minister has the call.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:23): Yes, Mr President, we will address our remarks through you, as is the appropriate way in this place. I need to correct the honourable member that nobody has actually been evicted. That is an incorrect term to use in relation to this.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Leader of the Opposition has asked a question and should listen to the answer.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: There have been no evictions. The South Australian Housing Authority, having received advice that the particular units, regardless of which option was going to be selected, would need to be relocated, have been working on this process for quite some time. They have been working on this process for quite some time because they wanted to maximise—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Does the opposition wish to listen to the answer?

The Hon. K.J. Maher interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The honourable Leader of the Opposition is out of order. The minister has the call.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: I do note the fake outrage that often comes from Labor members. The fake outrage from Labor members.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: When they sold 7½ thousand Housing Trust properties and now they—

The PRESIDENT: The minister should not point.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Seven and a half thousand public Housing Trust properties on your watch.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: You want to come in here and lecture me about our record.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The opposition either wishes to listen to the answer—and the minister, I am sure, will be bringing her answer to a conclusion soon, but we are not achieving anything at the moment. I am sure there are members of the crossbench who would like to get to their questions. The minister has the call.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: In this process, the South Australian Housing Authority—

The Hon. R.P. Wortley interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order, the Hon. Mr Wortley!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: —has been working through relocations. I am advised that, of the seven tenants who have relocated from essentially what are units, a number have been relocated to close-by suburbs, including Seacombe Gardens, Brighton, Glandore, Seacliff Park and Glenelg. Those tenants, of course, will be offered the opportunity to return to their properties at Hove. Obviously, it is regrettable that this has taken place in the way in which it has, and we will be offering all the tenants any relocation costs if they wish to return.