6 July 2022
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the minister representing the Minister for Human Services on the topic of rental affordability.
Leave granted.
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: This morning, multiple news outlets reported on the latest data from CoreLogic that showed that it is now more affordable to rent in Melbourne than it is in Adelaide. Over the last quarter, the price of renting an Adelaide unit has increased by 3.9 per cent while renting a house has increased by 4.4 per cent, and a typical Adelaide rental now costs $492 per week. Furthermore, the report shows that Adelaide rentals have increased by 10 per cent since this time last year.
Looking back over the last 10 years, Adelaide house rentals have increased by 36.5 per cent. Coupled with a vacancy rate of 0.3 per cent, Adelaide renters are struggling to find a house that they can afford. My question to the minister therefore is: is the minister disturbed by the CoreLogic report, and what action has the Malinauskas government taken to address rental affordability in our state?
The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Attorney-General, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector): I thank the honourable member for his question. I will make sure it is referred to a minister in another place and, through the minister who represents the minister in another place in this place, have a reply brought back for the member in this place.
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Supplementary.
The PRESIDENT: I will certainly listen to it but, the Hon. Mr Simms, good luck.
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Given the crisis that South Australians are facing, when exactly can I expect a reply to these questions? I have asked numerous questions on this, and I am still waiting for an answer. We have people sleeping in tents and in their cars.
The PRESIDENT: It is with serious intent that you ask your supplementary. I invite the minister to provide an answer.
The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Attorney-General, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector): I thank the honourable member, and I will make sure his desire for a speedy reply is well known.
In reply to the Hon. R.A. SIMMS (6 September 2022)
The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Attorney-General, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector): The Minister for Human Services has advised:
The state Labor government is taking action by investing $177.5 million of extra funding into public housing that will build 400 new homes, upgrade 350 vacant properties so they can be homes again for people in need and undertake maintenance on 3,000 more. We are also working with federal Labor on its $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund that will deliver 30,000 social and affordable homes nationwide.
The state government has also announced a review of the Residential Tenancies Act and ordered a review of the Supported Residential Facilities Act. The government is also in the late stages of negotiations with owners of vacant facilities that can provide emergency accommodation. The outcomes of all these processes are expected to improve our rental market and help people facing homelessness.