Speech to the ACT Legislative Assembly
11 December 2008

MR COE (Ginninderra) (3.37): The great Australian dream played out in song and literature is ‘to own a home among the gum trees.’ Whilst the home may not always be a house on land, home ownership is a great Australian tradition. Unfortunately, for some in our city, even renting your own home is beyond reach.

ACT Housing provides support to people who do not have the means to live independently and have nowhere else to go. Since becoming Shadow Minister for Housing, I have spoken to and met numerous ACT public housing tenants. My overall impression is that the vast majority of them are decent and good people who, due to circumstances beyond their control rely on the support of the government for their housing. Many such tenants are older Canberrans and their dignity and pride is of utmost importance.

I have had the opportunity to visit some of ACT Housing’s tenants at public housing properties. I was disappointed with what I saw, and am very concerned that the ACT government is not providing an adequate service to our publicly housed citizens. I am distressed at the state of some of our public housing properties. Within just 10 km of our national parliament, there are public housing properties that are, quite frankly, third world. We should be able to afford basics like fences, cleanliness and common area maintenance at our public housing properties. Older Canberrans take these issues very seriously, and it is vital for their sense of self-worth that their living conditions are at a standard to be proud of.

I believe the ACT government has a special responsibility to treat our public housing tenants with respect and dignity. I believe there can be significant improvements to the administration of housing and we can achieve better outcomes for public housing tenants in the ACT.

On 13 November, I had the honour of putting the first gift under the Target UnitingCare Share Christmas Gift Appeal  at the Canberra City Target store. The appeal collects gifts for not just children but also teenagers, parents and other older Australians. I think it is important to remember everyone at Christmas time, not just young people. A gift at Christmas can bring an immense deal of joy and make Christmas a special time for people who otherwise, may not receive a gift at this special time of year.

I would like to take this opportunity to commend Chris Ellis, who is the ACT convenor of the Target UnitingCare Share Christmas Gift Appeal. Chris has spent many hours organising the ACT appeal and will be working tirelessly to ensure the gifts are distributed to organisations throughout Canberra to bring some Christmas joy to those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

The work that goes on in so many charities around the ACT often goes unnoticed and, as such, is a thankless task, but to you, Chris, and the many others throughout the ACT who are working hard, I thank you, and pay tribute to your dedication and selflessness for the community. Reverend Gordon Ramsay, who is the Ministry Team Leader at Kippax Uniting, is also one such person.

I would encourage people, if they feel they can contribute to this appeal, to take a gift to any Target store in Canberra or elsewhere.

In conclusion, it is vital that we remember all people at Christmas time, not just young people. Older Australians have pride and they have dignity, and it is important that we treat them with the respect they deserve, especially those in public housing who are already dependant on the state for their housing and other essential services.