Perth Voice Interactive

No opportunity to respond

AS Housing Minister and Member for Perth, I feel it’s important to write in regarding last week’s front page story: Like Living in Hell (Voice, August 10). 

I also want to put on the public record that it was extremely disappointing to see the Perth Voice made comments regarding my response to social housing tenants, however, did not contact me or my office for a right of reply. I work hard to be responsive to all constituents. 

As a government, we are doing everything we can provide to secure and safe housing for Western Australians, particularly the most vulnerable, with a record $3.2 billion investment in social housing and homelessness services, with more than 2,300 social homes added to date and another 1,000 currently under construct or construction.

And I want to be clear – the majority of public housing tenants have never had complaints made against them and live in quiet enjoyment free from ongoing disruption, and in most cases, tenancy agreements are observed without concern or incident.

A number of these matters in relation to the Wellington Street complex have been thoroughly investigated and at every opportunity, I have personally spoken to or referred community members to the Department of Communities or to WA Police to investigate.

In response to concerns, the department has increased its security guard and patrol presence at the complex and improved the security gates and fencing. The department has also advised there have been no complaints lodged against the tenancy referred to in the story.

Communities has taken action on corroborated claims against other tenancies within the complex. 

This has included issuing strike notices where appropriate, in keeping with the department’s disruptive behaviour management protocols

It should be noted, a decision to terminate a tenancy agreement, ultimately sits with the magistrate, who will only grant an order for vacant possession if satisfied that there has been a breach of the tenancy agreement, and that the tenant has been given every opportunity to rectify the breach and has failed to do so. 

Wherever we can, we work to support keep tenants in housing, rather than the alternative.

John Carey
Member for Perth