Published Tuesday, 26 August, 2008 at 05:38 PM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
OPPOSITION WRONG ON CLAIMS ABOUT HOUSING WAITLIST
Housing Minister Robert Schwarten today rejected Shadow Minister Ray Stevens’ criticism of the One Social Housing policy as ‘claptrap’.
“Mr Stevens is way off beam here and has completely misconstrued what I said,” Mr Schwarten said.
“For a start, there’s been no chopping. All I have done is identify those who do not need Public Housing because they have told us they are paying less than 30% of their household income in rent.
“If you are paying less than 30% in rent it means it’s affordable and as such we do not need to offer the highly-subsidized, taxpayer-funded public housing.
“Either Mr Stevens is so consumed by the Liberal National Party’s antics that he cannot understand plain facts or perhaps he is suggesting that people who can look after themselves should get public housing at the expense of those who are poorer.
“The bottom line is we have a needs-based list and those with greatest need get the greatest help.
“As I indicated today we will keep a list of the people who can maintain private rent and will assist with bond loans, our rent connect program, and list them for the new Commonwealth National Rental Affordability Scheme.
“All Mr Stevens does is criticise and as yet he has not written one word of policy, so I would suggest he has little to offer in any reasonable debate on housing.”
“Mr Stevens is way off beam here and has completely misconstrued what I said,” Mr Schwarten said.
“For a start, there’s been no chopping. All I have done is identify those who do not need Public Housing because they have told us they are paying less than 30% of their household income in rent.
“If you are paying less than 30% in rent it means it’s affordable and as such we do not need to offer the highly-subsidized, taxpayer-funded public housing.
“Either Mr Stevens is so consumed by the Liberal National Party’s antics that he cannot understand plain facts or perhaps he is suggesting that people who can look after themselves should get public housing at the expense of those who are poorer.
“The bottom line is we have a needs-based list and those with greatest need get the greatest help.
“As I indicated today we will keep a list of the people who can maintain private rent and will assist with bond loans, our rent connect program, and list them for the new Commonwealth National Rental Affordability Scheme.
“All Mr Stevens does is criticise and as yet he has not written one word of policy, so I would suggest he has little to offer in any reasonable debate on housing.”