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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-02-18 Daily Xml
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Question Time

Public Housing

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:22): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Human Services a question about public housing.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: On 6 January, the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) made an eviction order at the request of Housing SA that will take effect in the coming days. The tenant is a single Aboriginal woman in her 60s, originally from Amata in the APY Lands, with acquired brain injury, physical disabilities and requiring 24-hour care via the NDIS, and who is under the guardianship of the Public Advocate.

The eviction order refers to disturbances caused by visitors to the property, not the tenant, that have caused disruption to neighbours. The order notes that the tenant may not be able to understand what is happening, may not be able to prevent the visitors from visiting and causing disturbances, and may have cultural obligations in relation to her visitors.

Most disturbingly, the eviction order notes that the tenant is so vulnerable that she may need hospital-level care in the future. The minister's agency has been aware of this situation for months and the local MP wrote to the minister last week after being made aware of the situation. The local MP has made representations to Housing SA to attempt to find other housing options or provide a short period of extra time but no solutions at all have been offered.

There is no doubt that this situation is difficult for both the tenant and the neighbours; however, there is also no doubt that the minister and the SA Housing Authority have a responsibility and the power to fix this situation. The minister has often spoken about challenges faced by single, older women, Aboriginal people, people with disabilities and those facing homelessness. This particular person falls into all four categories. My questions to the minister are:

1. What has the minister done to ensure this person is safe?

2. What does the minister say to this single Aboriginal woman in her 60s with acquired brain injury, who uses an electric wheelchair, needs 24-hour support and who will face homelessness in a few days' time?

3. What procedures exist to protect some of our most vulnerable from being made homeless because of the actions of the minister's agency?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:25): I thank the honourable member for his question. As he would be aware, the agency that is ultimately responsible for determining whether an eviction takes place is the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal—

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: On SA Housing Trust's application. It's your agency that has done this.

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Mr President, I listened to the question in silence. I would appreciate actually being given the opportunity to answer the question without being interrupted. In terms of SACAT, my understanding is that SACAT does not have a practice of evicting into homelessness. Some of these cases can be quite complex. It is well known that the Labor opposition comes in here with partial facts and fabricates some particular details. I am happy to look into the instances of this particular case and bring back an answer for the—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Minister, in silence, please—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! I can't hear the minister.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: She hasn't said anything.

The PRESIDENT: Well, she can't speak over the top of you. Minister, please continue.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: We know that the Labor Party often comes in here, fabricating facts, conflating facts that aren't true—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Let the minister finish her answer, please.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Mr President, I don't need to remind members of the opposition that interjections are out of order and I won't be responding to them and they should not be recorded in Hansard.

The PRESIDENT: You should.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: There are processes in place. The South Australian Housing Authority is very sensitive to a range of issues and takes all mitigating factors into account before these actions are taken. I'm more than happy to look at the facts of this case and bring back a response for the honourable member.

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