Public Housing

The Hon. J.S. LEE (14:45): My question is to the Minister for Human Services regarding housing. Can the minister please provide an update to the council about how public houses that were clearly neglected under Labor are being brought up to standard by the Marshall Liberal government since the last election?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:45): I thank the honourable member for her—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Wortley will remain silent. I would like to hear the answer.

The Hon. J.E. Hanson: It will be the same one as yesterday, Mr President.

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.E. Hanson: Just more blather.

The PRESIDENT: Yes, the Hon. Mr Hanson should put his mask back on.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: —interest in this important program. In 2020-21, the South Australian Housing Authority spent a record $168 million in maintenance funding, which has supported some 1,300 full-time equivalents through the trades who perform the maintenance, both the regular maintenance programs but also the specific upgrades which we have been able to bring forward through the generosity of our erstwhile, ever-benevolent Treasurer.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: It is quite apparent, and we know from the historical experience, that the Labor Party regularly cut the maintenance budget. We fully expect, given their stance on a number of these issues, that if they were to be re-elected next year they would once again cut the maintenance budget, probably in preference for pet programs that South Australians have little interest in.

That funding has enabled peeling paint, rundown exteriors, holes in walls in very dated properties from the 1950s and 1960s, kitchens and bathrooms—we have been able to improve the amenity for a number of our walk-up flats through landscaping, lighting and a range of areas. We certainly have had our trades extremely busy and the walk-up flats and upgrade of some 1,400 properties has been completed. That includes properties in Parkside, Glengowrie, Christie Downs, Fullarton, Elizabeth and Oaklands Park. There have also been some properties on Kangaroo Island as well as throughout the metropolitan area, so a range of properties have been improved.

We are also re-tendering the maintenance programs, so the invitation to tender closed on 1 September. What we know through the existing maintenance contracts is that a lot of the subcontractors have missed out, so under the existing contracts the price escalations provided for the multitrade contractors who had the overhead, if you like. They weren't required to pass any of those profits through to the subcontractors, so for some of those subcontractors it has meant that it has not been economical for them to do the jobs and that has unfortunately reflected in certain tasks being moved down their list of priorities.

The new criteria will include customer service. We are expecting that there will be better ways of communicating with our clients, improved service delivery and a focus on strategic asset management. So we believe that when these contracts are renewed, we will have a much more responsive and better service for our tenants, which I am sure they will greatly welcome.