Fraser Suites Tower—Social housing
447. Ms Colleen Egan to the Minister for Housing and Works:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's record $105 million purchase of Fraser Suites Tower for social housing.
(1) How is the Cook Labor government leading the delivery of new social and affordable housing in Western Australia?
(2) Is the minister aware of anyone who does not support this delivery?
Mr John Carey replied:
(1)–(2) I thank the member for her question. I am really proud that since 2021 our state government has made a record investment of $5.8 billion in social housing, affordable housing and homelessness programs, with a housing target of just over 5,800 social homes and more than 3,500 delivered to date. To get those kinds of delivery figures, you have to be innovative and think outside the box. I am really proud of our state government's big and bold decision to invest $105 million to purchase Fraser Suites. I have to say that it was praised by all the major stakeholders because we are converting short-stay accommodation into long-term housing and providing another means to accelerate the quick supply of housing.
I note that the Western Australian Property Council applauded our efforts, Shelter WA said that it was a game-changing purchase and Anglicare, whose offices are right across the road, welcomed the bold move. We are getting on with the job of converting that accommodation into long-term housing. Local and registered Aboriginal business Kardan Construction has commenced stage 1 of the refurbishment at the site. We established a stakeholder reference group with local residents and businesses to ensure a smooth and integrated approach with the precinct and we appointed a commercial tenancy agent to activate and liven up the commercial spaces. We will be making announcements with regard to that soon.
It surprises me—well, it does not really—that the opposition has it all ways. I note that the Leader of the Liberal Party in one moment supported it and in another commentary criticised it. This is what we are seeing now as an ongoing trend. Depending on who the Liberal is, or sometimes it is just the same person, they say different things. We are seeing this now as a regular pattern. Why is that? It is because when the Liberal Party has no policies, it has a vacuum and it is constantly on the run. It took me by surprise what Hon Simon Ehrenfeld said and asked, remembering that the Liberal Party took no social housing policy to the last election. One of the first questions I got from the member was:
Will any emphasis or consideration be placed on river or city views when determining which apartments are allocated for social housing and which apartments are offered to the rental market as affordable housing?
The Liberal Party's key concern is that the poor people do not get good views. That is what they are stating. It is a classic Liberal approach to social housing. The second part of the question was:
Has the government assessed the effect on property values that this project will have on existing properties in the immediate area?
It was not a concern about housing people or about people doing it tough; what they are worried about is real estate values. I can tell members this: in this market, everything is going up. Apartments are going out the door; there is very strong interest. But it is telling, because, ultimately, that side of politics does not care. The Leader of the Liberal Party shut down a women's shelter. The new housing spokesperson feigns interest in low-income renters, yet when that party had the chance, it voted against renters' rights and tenants' protections in the last Parliament. They are all over the place. Ultimately, it is about values. That side does not care. This side has a genuine commitment to accelerating the delivery of social and affordable housing. Our funding and investment in projects like Fraser Suites shows that.
