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East Kimberley residents who have had to put up with 'the neighbours from hell' in some Homeswest houses may get some relief. Housing and Works Minister Nick Griffiths said today Homeswest would continue its tough approach to anti-social behaviour. The Minister said Homeswest, the Department of Housing and Works and its director general Greg Joyce had his full support, following the release of an Equal Opportunity Commission report 'Finding a Place'. The report was critical of some of Homeswest's policies in relation to indigenous clients. But Mr Griffiths said Homeswest targeted anti-social behaviour, not race. |
"In return for subsidised housing, tenants have an obligation to be co-operative and helpful in their behaviour," he said. "Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated, irrespective of race. "I acknowledge the hard work and incredible effort put in by Greg and the Homeswest team, often under the most difficult circumstances. "I have read the report's recommendations and believe that at least 40 per cent of them are currently implemented. "Some I find constructive, while others fly in the face of current thinking - that of an acceptance of mutual obligation and shared responsibility between governments and relevant stakeholders. |
"The Gallop Government has spent nearly $172 million on public housing in 2002-2005, compared with nearly $33.5 million in the previous four years by the Coalition." A separate statement from the Department of Housing and Works stated that 'positive discrimination' in favour of Aboriginal tenants had led to a situation where Aboriginal tenants accumulated up to seven times the arrears, six times more tenant-caused damage and twice the amount of maintenance expenditure of non-Aboriginal tenancies. |