Jacquie Petrusma

Jacquie Petrusma MP
Shadow Minister for Human Services 
Thursday Nov 10, 2011

Cassy O'Connor must guarantee that no Stainforth Court tenant will find themselves homeless or forced into a high rent option as a result of her complete about face on the complex's future.

The Government promised in mid 2009 to knock down Stainforth Court and start again.

In February this year, Cassy O'Connor ruled that out saying there's no money in the Budget to do anything radical, but now the Minister has done a u-turn and wants to sell off Stainforth Court as a development opportunity, in order to plug the Government's black hole.

The challenge in re-developing the complex is where to house the existing tenants.

Many Stainforth Court tenants are vulnerable, low income earners. They can't afford to move into the private rental market, and should not be forced to.

Given we don't have enough public housing properties to meet existing demand, Ms O'Connor must explain how she will ensure that the extra 100 plus tenants from Stainforth Court will not be left out in the cold.