(1)   Is it a fact that 47,919 homes will be repaired under the $400 million allocated for social housing repairs in the $42 billion stimulus package; if so, how did the Government calculate the number of homes requiring repairs.

(2)   Will she release to the public, advice to the Government from State and Territory governments supporting that 47,919 homes require repairs.

(3)   What will be the average cost of repairs to the 38,000 homes undergoing minor repair work.

(4)   How many of the 47,919 homes undergoing repairs are currently uninhabitable.

(5)   What is the time frame for undertaking the minor and substantial repairs.

(6)   Will the Government enter into contractual arrangements with the States and Territories to define cost caps and deadlines for the repairs.

(7)   Will any of the repair work be contracted direct by the Government with tradespeople; if so, how many repair jobs and in what areas of Australia.

(1)   The National Partnership Agreement on the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan makes it clear that State and Territory Governments are responsible for identifying the repairs and maintenance work to be conducted. State and Territory Governments outlined to the Commonwealth the proposed repair and maintenance work that could be undertaken and these were approved by the Minister for Housing. Working with the States and Territories, the Commonwealth’s objective is to maximise the economic stimulatory impact of the funding and to maximise the improvements to social housing stock in Australia.

(2)   Details of projects approved were tabled by the Prime Minister in the House of Representatives on 27 May 2009.

(3)   The average cost of repair and maintenance work for all projects is $7,515.00 per dwelling, there is no separate breakdown of costs available for repair or maintenance work.

(4)   A total of 10,702 dwellings are either vacant now or will become uninhabitable within two years, without the approved repair and maintenance work.

(5)   The nature of repairs and maintenance vary significantly. Minor repairs are being completed promptly and all repairs and maintenance are scheduled to be completed by 30 June 2010.

(6)   No, there is an agreed implementation plan with each jurisdiction, and all repairs and maintenance work are scheduled to be completed by 30 June 2010.

(7)   State and Territory Governments are contracting directly with the building industry to complete these repairs.