Speaker Sue Hickey gets down and dirty, lashing Government over housing inaction

Tasmanian Speaker Sue Hickey says she fears for vulnerable Tasmanians this winter and has attacked the State Government’s inaction on building more homes.

TASMANIAN Speaker Sue Hickey says she fears for vulnerable Tasmanians this winter and has attacked the State Government’s inaction on building more homes.

After visiting tenants in the Windsor St public housing complex in Glenorchy last week, Ms Hickey took the Government to task for barely lifting a finger to fix the problems she had raised.

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Gloves on and broom in hand, Ms Hickey visited the site on Wednesday with some helpers to begin the clean-up at Oakleigh Court. Last week, she had labelled the estate “not fit for animals”.

On Wednesday, she said a major cockroach infestation had spread to another part of the complex.

One unit has been boarded up and fumigated since Ms Hickey visited last week but she said it was not enough.

“There are so many rooms here that could be used but have been boarded up because they are not fit for use,” she said.

“I’m calling for the Premier and Housing Minister to come out here and have an inspection for themselves and meet some of these people.”

Tasmanian Speaker Sue Hickey during her clean-up at the Oakleigh Court housing complex in Windsor Street, Glenorchy. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

The Government defended its record, saying it had performed routine maintenance at the site last week and hired a contractor to remove the cockroaches.

“Housing Tasmania has again assessed the unit at Windsor Street, and in consultation with tenants in nearby units, will conduct further pest treatment at the units tomorrow,” a spokesman said.

The Mercury understands that so far this financial year, the Government has carried out 102 work orders at the estate at a cost of $63,000.

Ms Hickey said since bringing the Oakleigh Court situation to light, she had been inundated with calls from people concerned about their long-term future, especially with winter fast approaching.

This includes a young, single mum with three children who have been sleeping in their car at New Norfolk.

“This is no way to live,” Ms Hickey said. “I’m really fearful how these people are going to survive this winter.”

Opposition Leader Rebecca White said she was alarmed to see Tasmanians living in the conditions described at Oakleigh Court.

“I commend the Speaker for being so vocal about this but it’s also incredibly alarming that the Government has not taken this more seriously,” she said.