Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 4 April 2011:

With reference to the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS):

(1)   What is the name of the unit within the department which advises the Treasurer on the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS), and how many people is it comprised of.

(2)   Does the department still consider the NRAS program to be undersubscribed.

(3)   What industry consultation took place prior to the providing of advice to the Government that the target should be capped at 30 000.

(4)   How does the department work with the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities on NRAS.

(5)   Given that, in November 2008, the Government introduced a transitional safety net to cover charities participating in NRAS, targeting charitable organisations that participate during the establishment phase of NRAS (dwellings built during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 financial years), thereby expiring at the end of that establishment phase:

  (a)   what is the current situation for charitable organisations participating in NRAS; and

  (b)   did the transitional safety net expire as noted; if so, are the affected charitable organisations currently participating in NRAS in danger of losing their charitable status and loss of valuable tax concessions.