Public Housing Residents

Mr Fletcher asked the Minister representing the Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness, in writing on 11 October 2011:

In respect of the subheading 'Public housing tenants' (page 14) of the Clean Energy, Future Supporting Australian households brochure, where it indicates that assistance will not be included in State government public housing rent setting calculations so that public housing residents get the full benefit of assistance, (a) how can the Australian Government guarantee this claim, and (b) what (i) negotiations are underway between, and (ii) arrangements have been finalised by, the Australian Government and the State and Territory governments on this matter.

Mr Albanese: The Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness has provided the following answer to the honourable member's question:

(a) and (b)(i)(ii) State and Territory Governments are responsible for setting public housing rents. It is the Australian Government's intention that carbon price assistance is not included in the calculation of public housing rents by State and Territory Governments.

The Prime Minister has written to all State and Territory Premiers and Chief Ministers, seeking confirmation that the Clean Energy Advance and the Clean Energy Supplements be permanently exempt from public housing rent calculations. The Prime Minister also asked that this exemption also be extended to community housing providers to ensure equity with public housing tenants.

This request is consistent with the current approach where supplements to government payments, such as the Pension Supplement and Carer Supplement, are excluded from public housing rent calculations.