Spicer Cottages Trust (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 1 May 2025.)

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (18:17): I rise to speak about the Spicer Cottages Trust (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2025, introduced in this place by the Attorney-General on 1 May this year. The proposed changes reflect commonsense improvements as it no longer acts as a landlord. The proposed changes enable the trust greater flexibility to use its funds for a wider range of charitable functions.

The proposed changes to schedule 1 expand the objects of the trust to provide assistance to individuals in poor, needy or difficult circumstances, which may include housing, education, allied health services or other forms of support. The bill also takes into account modern methods of communication and meetings, and also allows appointment of trust members by resolution, and enables greater flexibility of appointments.

The opposition agrees that in this case, standing order 268, which stipulates that hybrid bills of this nature should be referred to a select committee, can be suspended for this bill. The proposed changes will enable this trust greater flexibility and effectiveness in the work in providing assistance to those less fortunate in our community, and therefore the opposition is happy to support the proposed bill.

The Hon. T.T. NGO (18:19): I rise to speak in support of the Spicer Cottages Trust (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2025. This bill provides another means of helping to address our current housing crisis and is very much welcomed.

Firstly, I will provide the necessary background to this bill so that the benefits become clear. Spicer Cottages Trust (Spicer Trust) was originally established in 1897 to provide affordable housing support for Uniting Church ministers and/or their spouses in retirement. It was created by benefactor Edward Spicer, and in 1897 the first three row cottages were built at numbers 37, 39 and 41 Fourth Avenue, St Peters.

These cottages were located across from the Spicer Uniting Church, formerly East Adelaide Methodist Church, which was renamed Spicer Memorial Church after Edward Spicer’s death. Between 1934 and 1938, parliament passed the Spicer Cottages Trust Act incorporating the trustees as a body corporate and extending their powers. Then, in 1978, the Spicer Trust Act reconstituted the trust and set out the trust’s powers and functions in a single declaration of trust.

At this time, the trust owned and managed multiple dwellings, including units at Payneham, Magill, Athelstone, Rostrevor and Felixstow, where eligible clergy and their spouses or widowed spouses lived. More than a century later, the Spicer Trust found the support for the ministers and their spouses was no longer required and, as a result, made the decision to sell their property portfolio to the Adelaide Benevolent Society, whose mission aligned closely with the original purpose of Spicer Trust.

In 2021, Spicer Cottages Trust sold properties to the Adelaide Benevolent Society, including five two-bedroom units at Payneham and Magill, two adjacent three-bedroom townhouses at Athelstone, and standalone three-bedroom dwellings at Rostrevor and Felixstow. The sale was made with a condition that existing tenants may stay as long as they can live independently. There is now no need for ministerial housing and no eligible individuals currently requiring accommodation.

After the properties had been sold, Spicer Trust found themselves in the unique position of being able to assist other organisations to meet their affordable housing objectives. Spicer Trust now aims to direct its funds to assist affordable housing programs in the best possible way. In its efforts to reach the broader community, the trust also seeks to expand its services and offer broader community support through the provision of other essential services for people facing hardship.

To enable this shift in mission, this bill proposes to modernise the trust’s structure and operations. Without amending the act, the future work of the trust is very much limited. The current act narrowly defines retired ministers and spouses as the only people who can benefit from the trust. It also restricts the trust to only assisting people through the provision of accommodation.

With the greater flexibility that this bill brings, the trust can manage its finances and assets to ensure that it operates efficiently and responsively in addressing emerging community needs. The bill will expand the trust’s objectives to allow it to provide greater support to people in difficult circumstances, not just through housing but also through access to education, training, health, and allied services. It will allow administrative processes and technology to be updated to accommodate modern communication methods, such as email and videoconferencing.

The trust recognises that hardship is rarely caused by one thing. This bill will allow the trust to offer community connection through safe housing, along with health support, education and training, skills, and work pathways. The Spicer Cottages Trust (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2025 will ensure the trust can continue their mission to help the disadvantaged in our community to rebuild their lives with dignity and as quickly as possible. With that, I commend this bill to the chamber. I hope it gains the members' support.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (18:25): I thank all members for their indications of support for what is a reasonably straightforward piece of legislation.

Bill read a second time.

The PRESIDENT: This bill is a hybrid bill and, in accordance with standing order No. 268, should be referred to a select committee.

Standing Orders Suspension

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (18:25): I move:

That standing orders be so far suspended as to enable the bill to be proceeded with as a public bill.

Motion carried.

The PRESIDENT: I note the absolute majority.

Committee Stage

Bill taken through committee without amendment.

Third Reading

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (18:26): I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Bill read a third time and passed.