Flegg welcomes TAAS funding commitment

Minister for Housing and Public Works Bruce Flegg has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to fund the Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service.  

“We have said all along that TAAS provided a valuable service and in an ideal world we’d like to see it continue.  

“Unfortunately, given state Labor’s legacy of unmet housing need, waiting list blowouts and million dollar losses in the housing portfolio, we were forced to divert all available funds to where they were needed most – housing our most needy by building more social housing.  

“I’d be delighted to see the Federal Government put up the cash to fund this program and the state government would be more than happy to continue to administer it.  

“If the funds are forthcoming before the end of October, I’m confident existing services could be retained in their current format.” 

However Dr Flegg expressed concern about the Federal Government’s ability to fund the scheme, saying Labor had a track record of over-promising and under-delivering.  

“The Federal Government already has more than $20 billion worth of unfunded promises for things like the NDIS, Gonski and dental care. 

“I just hope that this is a serious commitment from the Federal Government and that they’re not planning on pinching the money from other Queensland programs.  

[ENDS] October 3 2012

Media contact: Graeme Hallett 0408 763 671