CLP to toughen Giles-era public housing ‘red card’ penalty system if they take government at election

THE CLP will crack down on anti-social public housing tenants by strengthening Giles-era policies that include a six-month probation period for new tenants, if they win government in August.

THE Country Liberal Party will crack down on anti-social public housing tenants by strengthening Giles-era policies that include a six-month probation period for new tenants, if they win government in August.

The “four-pronged plan” to crack down on anti-social behaviour and property damage in NT public housing is largely already in place in the Territory, after it was introduced in August 2016 during the term of then Chief Minister Adam Giles.

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The CLP’s policy aims to enforce the use of the “red card rule”, or six demerit point system, where public housing tenants risk being evicted if they chalk up anti-social behaviour and property damage infringements.

This remains in force in the NT, though the rules on the government’s website states tenants will be offered supported if they are found to be at risk of receiving a demerit point. The rest of the plan includes:

• Empowering public housing safety officers by refining the case management system so complaints don’t slip through the cracks, and expanding the service to a 24/7 hotline response.
• Making visitors accountable for damaging public housing.
• Increasing tenancy support by offering incentives to tenants who “value-add” to their property, including incentives to encourage public housing tenants to become homeowners.

Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro Picture: Che Chorley

This includes increasing support to tenants to ensure they meet the terms of their lease.

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said this would ensure vulnerable people on the housing waitlist could be prioritised over those who “continue to break tenancy agreements”.

“Territory Housing tenants deserve to live in an environment free of anti-social behaviour and damage, which is why a CLP government will help Territory Housing tenants manage their tenancies to ­enhance safety and amenity,” she said.

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“Public housing waiting lists are on average seven years long in the Territory. Those who have been fairly waiting need to be prioritised over those who on numerous occasions refuse to do the right thing or respect their property.”