By: Mark Parton
The Canberra Liberals say the ACT Ombudsman’s report “Falling through the gaps” confirms serious failures in the Labor Government’s management of public housing repairs.
Canberra Liberals Leader, Mark Parton said vulnerable tenants have been left waiting months, sometimes years, for basic maintenance in their homes.
“This report makes it crystal clear: Housing ACT has failed the very people it is meant to protect,” Mr Parton said.
“Tenants are living with mould, leaks and safety hazards while this ACT Labor Government hides behind process and paperwork.”
The Canberra Liberals Leader said the findings reflect broader financial mismanagement identified in the Interim Report to the Legislative Assembly Select Committee on the Fiscal Sustainability of the ACT.
“As Saul Eslake warned, this Government’s policy choices have weakened the Territory’s fiscal position over the past decade. Canberrans are paying more and getting less, less accountability, less efficiency, and poorer services,” Mr Parton said.
Shadow Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness, Chiaka Barry said the Ombudsman’s findings showed a culture of complacency within Housing ACT.
“This is not an isolated administrative oversight, it is a systemic failure of oversight, accountability and basic service delivery,” Ms Barry said.
“The Residential Tenancies Act applies equally to private landlords and the ACT Government, yet this report shows the Government is failing to meet the very standards it expects others to follow.”
“Public housing tenants deserve safe, well-maintained homes. Instead, they’ve been left to chase repairs through a broken system.”
The Canberra Liberals are calling on the Government to immediately implement all Ombudsman recommendations and clear the maintenance backlog as a matter of urgency.
Under Labor, you pay more and get less.