Senate Additional Estimates February 2012

Community Affairs
Housing and Homelessness

13^th February

Topics covered:

Senate Community Affairs Committee
ANSWERS TO ESTIMATES QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
FAMILIES, HOUSING, COMMUNITY SERVICES AND INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO
2011-12 Supplementary Estimates Hearings October 2011

Question No: 86
Topic: 2008 Senate Inquiry into Housing Affordability
Hansard Page: 20/10/2011 CA49

Senator Ludlam asked:
How many of the recommendations in the 2008 Senate Inquiry into Housing Affordability Report have been acted on?

Answer:
See attached table.

The Australian Greens today welcomed Australians for Affordable Housing's call for a long term commitment from the Government to address the nation's housing crisis.

Greens housing spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam said the up-coming Federal Budget should deliver a long-term strategy for meeting the nation's housing needs.

Audio from Sarah's door stop in Canberra on referring the Greens' marriage equality bill to a Senate inquiry. Also joined by Alex Greenwich from Australian Marriage Equality and Shelley Argent from Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Other topics covered include childre in detention and sexism toward women politicians.

Unused building spaces could be converted into affordable housing under a Greens initiative that is attracting growing support.

Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam has called for grants of up to $21,000 to help landlords convert empty commercial space, shop-top rooms, vacant warehouses and derelict homes into affordable housing. Housing and social welfare groups have voiced support for the policy to convert tens of thousands of empty dwellings in Perth into affordable rentals.

The growing crisis in affordable housing must be met by a national housing strategy, the Australian Greens said today as new figures revealed a huge and worsening crisis in affordable housing.

Australian Greens housing spokesperson, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, welcomed the release of the National Housing Supply Council's State of Supply Report and called on new housing minister Robert McClelland to tackle the crisis head on.

Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications
Legislation Committee
Answers to questions on notice
Topic: 2008 Senate committee report on housing affordability

Senator Ludlam asked:

Senator LUDLAM: How many, if any, of the recommendations from the 2008 Senate committee report on housing affordability have been implemented?
Mr Thompson: I will have to take that on notice, I am sorry.
Senator LUDLAM: If you could. Could you let us know which ones?
Mr Thompson: Sure.

Answer:

MINISTER FOR SUSTAINABILITY, ENVIRONMENT, WATER, POPULATION AND COMMUNITIES

Senate Question No. 1226
Senator Ludlam asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, in writing, on 20 September 2011:
With reference to the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS):

(1)For Round 1, 2 and 3 can a table be provided listing the total number and percentage of NRAS incentives that were awarded but could not be accepted, disaggregating cash and tax deduction grants.

TREASURY - SENATE QUESTION ON NOTICE
Notice Given: 21 October 2011 (Question No. 1222)

Senator Ludlam asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 21 October 2011-

With reference to the High Court of Australia ruling handed down on 3 December 2008, Commissioner of Taxation of the Commonwealth of Australia v Word Investments Limited [2008] HCA55, and the taxation treatment of not-for-profit or charitable housing organisations:

QUESTION NO: 1225

DATE ASKED: 20 September 2011

Senator Ludlam asked the Minister representing the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, upon notice on 20 September 2011: