Thursday 21 April 2016
The 2016 Rental Affordability Snapshot released today by Anglicare Australia demonstrates that the Barr government needs to step up, stop talking and actually start addressing the lack of affordable housing in our community, Shadow Minister for Housing Nicole Lawder said today.
“Unfortunately, the snapshot shows few properties in the ACT are affordable for households with a minimum wage income. It highlights the need for a whole of government commitment to address homelessness, and those at risk of homelessness,” Ms Lawder said.
The snapshot shows:
- Young people and single parents lack affordable private rental options.
- Only one affordable and appropriate property was found for a single parent with two children on a single parenting payment.
- Only one affordable and appropriate property was found for an adult couple with two children on Newstart Allowance.
- For a couple with two children on a minimum wage, parenting payment (partnered) and Family Tax Benefit A & B, only two affordable and appropriate properties were found.
“The report also shows that the combination of an insufficient supply of housing and higher average disposable incomes results in upward pressures on rental prices. Just 6.8 percent of rental properties were available and affordable in the ACT for an adult couple with two children on a minimum wage and Family Tax Benefit A. This is significantly lower than the 38.5 percent of affordable and available properties in the greater Perth metropolitan area for the same cohort of people, for example.
“Many members of our community are struggling to make ends meet and often have to forgo basic items such as food so that they have the money to pay their rent. Furthermore, we still have long public housing waiting lists.
“The Barr government is tripling rates to pay for light rail and has no concern for Canberrans struggling to pay for expensive housing,” Ms Lawder concluded.
Contact: Joe Prevedello 0402768432
Thursday 14 April 2016
An Auditor-General’s report released today has found the facilities management contract worth tens of millions of dollars annually for ACT public housing hasn’t been properly managed by the government, Shadow Minister for Housing Nicole Lawder said today.
“This report shows that Housing ACT and the Community Services Directorate’s management of the Total Facilities Management contract is ‘not fully effective’. This is concerning given that this contract is valued at $48 million a year, and is one of the ACT government’s biggest ongoing contracts,” Ms Lawder said.
“The report has also found that:
“Importantly, work order audits undertaken by Spotless have been problematic and Housing and Community Services has not enforced the necessary and required standard for these audits” Pg1-2
“Housing and Community Services has no visibility over the reviews undertaken by Spotless’ Works Supervisors for checking that work orders have been completed” Pg 5
“Current reporting does not provide Housing and Community Services with adequate visibility over Spotless’ Work Supervisors inspections of works undertaken by Spotless or its sub-contractors” Pg 6
“I often receive complains from public housing tenants about the quality and timeliness of maintenance of public housing properties. The Minister needs make sure proper management is in place to ensure effective outcomes for residents and efficient management of the assets,” Ms Lawder concluded.
Contact: Joe Prevedello 0402768432
24 March 2016
Canberra Liberals Commit to Full Ashley Drive Duplication
Unlike the government, the Canberra Liberals will do the job properly and duplicate the full length of Ashley Drive between Erindale Drive and Johnson Drive if elected. On top of what the government has already announced, we will deliver an additional $4 million for the full duplication, Shadow Minister for Transport Alistair Coe and Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Hanson announced today.
“The government says it will only duplicate Ashley Drive from Erindale Drive to Ellerston Avenue. The Canberra Liberals will commit to the full duplication by including the stretch from Ellerston Avenue to Johnson Drive. The announcement includes noise attenuation measures for Isabella Plains residents,” Mr Coe said.
“After announcing the duplication in 2012, Andrew Barr has back peddled and failed to deliver. The cost of the duplication has blown out; the timeframe has blown out, all while the proposed length of duplication has fallen short of what the government originally committed to.
“The government’s so-called solution to duplicate part of Ashley Drive is puzzling and will only cause bottlenecks on such a critical Tuggeranong thoroughfare. Our solution is complete,” Mr Coe concluded.
“With the government pursuing light rail, it’s not hard to see why the government want to cut costs by not fully duplicating Ashley Drive,” Mr Hanson said.
“The Canberra Liberals are committed to making sure ACT residents are served by completed road projects that provide ease of movement. Canberrans don’t want half finished roads because the government has to pay for light rail,” Mr Hanson concluded.
Contact: Joe Prevedello 0402768432
31 March 2016
Eight Rapid bus routes across Canberra, City to Airport bus services and faster non-stop suburban bus services to the major central work hubs are just some of the features of a Canberra Liberals government’s plans for the future of public transport in the ACT, Shadow Minister for Transport Alistair Coe and Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Hanson announced today.
“Today we are announcing the biggest public transport reforms in the history of the ACT. Our plan wills serve as the blueprint for the future of public transport, for all Canberrans. Bus public transport has great potential in Canberra and we want a network that services as many Canberrans as possible,” Mr Coe said.
“The plan will be funded through the existing resources of ACTION and the reallocation of the funding for the Capital Metro Agency. The initiatives include:
- A better fit-out for new buses focusing on accessibility and comfort as well a new colour coding system.
- Eight separate Rapid routes; including an airport service.
- Late night services on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
- Faster services including non-stop services to reduce peak hour travel times.
- A trial of electric buses with a view to the establishment of a fleet of electric vehicles.
- A new Parkway Express linking Woden, Belconnen and our major hospitals.
“There are also plans to upgrade bus stops with all weather shielding and real time information displays, trial electric buses and enable MyWay cards for other purchases,” Mr Coe concluded.
“The Canberra Liberals’ vision for public transport offers much better access and timeliness for all of Canberra as opposed to Andrew Barr’s light rail which will only service a fraction of the population,” Mr Hanson said.
“Canberrans have a genuine choice at the next election, our enhanced bus network with better services across all of Canberra or Andrew Barr’s unaffordable and unviable trams,” Mr Hanson concluded.
For full details click here www.canberrastransportfuture.com.au
Wednesday 9 March 2016
It’s disappointing the government failed to support my motion in the Assembly to broaden the scope of the recently announced review into System Level Responses to Family Violence in the ACT, Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services Nicole Lawder said today.
“There are a number of cases involving ACT Care and Protection and family violence and the inquiry’s examination shouldn’t be limited,” Ms Lawder said.
“Today in the Legislative Assembly I called on the government to broaden the scope of the review, to more generally cover care and protection cases, as well as invite submissions. It’s disappointing the government missed the opportunity to cast a wide net and examine where things have gone wrong in the past.
“There needs to be better information sharing between ACT Care and Protection and other government agencies to ensure the safety of vulnerable children and young people in the system. It’s important we look at past failures and learn from them.
“We need to make sure the system which is set up to look after vulnerable children and young people runs smoothly to achieve that outcome,” Ms Lawder concluded.
Contact: Joe Prevedello 0402768432
Authorised by Nicole Lawder, Canberra Liberals, 4/50 Geils Court Deakin ACT 2600