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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-12-02 Daily Xml
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Kangaroo Island Bushfire Recovery Support

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL (Mawson) (14:29): My question is to the Premier. Will the Premier reconsider his government's decision to evict people on Kangaroo Island who lost their homes in the bushfires and were provided with emergency housing? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: Geoff and Priscilla were made homeless because of the bushfires on 20 December 2019 and they were provided with emergency temporary housing, but, because of the crisis in the construction industry in sourcing building materials, they have not yet been able to rebuild their permanent home.

This week, they received a text message and then a letter from Housing SA advising them that they must give up their emergency accommodation in February next year. Geoff and Priscilla are just one example of around 25 families or individuals on the island who have lost their homes and who are in a similar circumstance.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (14:30): I am representing the Minister for Human Services in the house as a result of recent changes, so on behalf of Minister Lensink I will take this question on notice in terms of the detail—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: —of the family's case. I can provide a little bit of insight into the way the Department of Human Services worked very strongly with Twiggy Forrest and the charities that helped in the provision of the construction of those temporary homes. A very similar operation was supporting families in my electorate and throughout the Adelaide Hills as well, so I know very well how important that provision was, supported and facilitated by the Department of Human Services, when it was provided.

It provided those families with some breathing room to construct or reconstruct their homes without their having to relocate off their properties. Of course some wanted to, but many wanted to stay on their properties and be hands-on in supporting the construction and staying, whether that was to look after their animals or their property. I am fully aware of how important it has been to those families to have had that service provided.

It was an innovative service. It was a service that the government, the department, did well to support. Obviously it was very strongly supported by Andrew Forrest's charity, for which we are very grateful. As I understand it, it also supported a number of jobs in South Australia in the construction industry. A number of them were able to use South Australian suppliers and businesses to help construction.

In relation to the circumstances we are in now, obviously it was not intended that the provision be for such an extended period of time. The member has outlined details in relation to this particular case, and it possible there are others in the same set of circumstances. I will raise this with the Minister for Human Services and not just take it on notice but undertake to ensure the member receives a response directly outside the parliamentary process if that is more timely than through the parliamentary process.

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