Perth Voice Interactive

HOUSING minister John Carey has accused Perth lord mayor Basil Zempilas of “rewriting history” over the closure of a Safe Night Space for women.

At the last council meeting, Mr Zempilas blamed the WA government for the long delay in re-opening a space for homeless and vulnerable women, saying it had been sitting on an appeal from Ruah to start operating from James Street after the organisation appealed council-imposed conditions (“Lord mayor: Safe space on ice,” Voice, June 8, 2024.

But Mr Carey said Mr Zempilas was glossing over the fact his council shut the original service down and “forced Ruah to go through an entirely unnecessary process” which had stopped the SNS opening within days of the application.

Refused

“In fact, the lord mayor himself confirmed an expedited pathway was available, but he refused to implement it for the Ruah centre,” Mr Carey said.

“As a preferred use, public advertising nor full council determination was not required; the lord mayor himself forced this application down a longer pathway.”

Mr Carey said Ruah wasn’t consulted before the council imposed onerous conditions.

“Ruah have clearly stated they were so concerned about the continued operation of the centre under the City’s condition, they had no choice but to seek an appeal through the State Administrative Tribunal,” Mr Carey said.

“When it became apparent that the City of Perth was going to cease their funding for the Safe Night Space, the state government offered $3.1 million to continue the service at the Rod Evans Centre without disruption.

“The City of Perth rejected this assistance and closed the service.”

Mr Carey said the government then provided $210,000 interim funding to ensure Ruah could continue to offer the women accommodation and other necessities.

Claiming the mayor and council were running a campaign against the Safe Night Space, Mr Carey said the SAT appeal had been called in for a determination by state government.

“As per the formal process, parties have been given the opportunity to present submissions to be taken into account in decision-making, and this takes time,” Mr Carey said.

“As the appointed objective decision-maker, minister Sanderson is now awaiting key advice from the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage that will assist in making an informed decision.

“The final ministerial decision, and all submissions received, will be published and laid before Parliament as soon as possible,” Mr Carey said.