Qld: Schwarten accuses feds of stalling housing funds

AAP General News (Australia)
04-26-2000
Qld: Schwarten accuses feds of stalling housing funds

Queensland Housing Minister ROBERT SCHWARTEN says the federal government is harming
jobs in Queensland by stalling the flow to the state of $50 million in housing funds.

Mr SCHWARTEN says federal Family and Community Services Minister JOCELYN NEWMAN has
not signed off funding for Queensland under the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement,
despite it being finalised last year.

He says Canberra already owes Queensland a $42 million payment covering the first three
months of this year.

Mr SCHWARTEN says since the end of March the amount owing to Queensland has been increasing
at the rate of $3 million a week, meaning $50 million has been held up.

Mr SCHWARTEN says he believes the delay is linked to recent statements he made in which
he complained about cutbacks in federal housing funds and the added burden of the GST.

He says Senator NEWMAN has asked for clarification of his remarks and he provided that
months ago, but Senator NEWMAN has still not approved funding.

AAP RTV ch/wz/jn/gp/rt

KEYWORD: HOUSING (BRISBANE)

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