Reform: Housing 2009

Image: Space Cadet Marko / flickr

22 January 2010This edition of the ALRC's Reform focuses on the ability to provide adequate housing for all Australians.

Federal Government initiatives in this area are outlined by the responsible Minister, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP. Australian Human Rights Commission President, the Hon Catherine Branson, and her colleague Dr Cassandra Goldie assess the human rights implications of the national housing strategy, while Adam Farrar (NSW Federation of Housing Associations) considers the ramifications of a policy shift to community housing options.

Various aspects of homelessness are debated by Robin Banks (Public Interest Advocacy Centre) and Chris Hartley (Homeless Persons’ Legal Service), Karen Wilcox and Ludo McFerran (Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse), and Rebecca Reynolds (Twenty10).

Respected Aboriginal community leader Tom Slockee provides a personal perspective on Indigenous housing, drawing on his lengthy experience in this field. Chris Lamont (Housing Industry Association) discusses housing affordability, while Ian Winter (Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute) calls for more informed and constructive debate around the social objectives of land use planning.

Other articles discuss reforms required in the areas of tenancy rights (Deborah Pippen, Tenants’ Union ACT); and housing for the elderly (Susannah Sage Jacobson, Public Interest Law Clearing House of Victoria). The final article on this subject, by academic Graeme Wiffin, discusses the tensions that often arise in practice between providing housing and preserving heritage.

Image: 'Northcote Housing Commission Apartments', Space Cadet Marko / flickr

Noticeboard

07 March 2012

In May 2011 the Federal Government announced that the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) would commence operations from 1 July 2012 and that it would initially be responsible for determining the legal status of groups seeking charitable, public benevolent institution, and other not-for-profit (NFP) benefits on behalf of all Commonwealth agencies. 

07 February 2012
The Productivity Commission has been asked to report within 8 months on Default Superannuation Funds in Modern Awards. The inquiry covers the design of criteria for the selection and ongoing assessment of superannuation funds for nomination as default funds in modern awards.
20 December 2011

On 18 November 2011, Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Senator the Hon Kate Lundy, announced the establishment of an independent panel of eminent community leaders to conduct an inquiry into Australian Government services to ensure they are responsive to the needs of Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.