WA:Death prompts audit into WA govt housing

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-2011
WA:Death prompts audit into WA govt housing

PERTH, Aug 4 AAP - An independent audit will examine the West Australian government's
management of the tenancy of an elderly man whose body was left undiscovered in a state
housing unit for up to two years.

The audit will also examine the extent to which the Housing Department has implemented
the recommendations of the Auditor-General's 2010 report into the fitting and maintenance
of safety devices and property inspections.

Robert Roll, 75, was discovered by a Housing Department worker slumped against a bed
in his unit on July 7 this year.

Housing Minister Troy Buswell said he was not satisfied with the explanation of the
situation provided to him by the department.

"The information I received contained discrepancies in regard to the last contact the
department had with Mr Roll, and my main concern is that the department's systems showed
that an inspection was undertaken in 2010, when an inspection did not actually occur,"

he said.

"Whether this was caused due to human error or improper actions, we need to make sure
this doesn't happen again."

Mr Buswell said the department was finalising a report on its response to the Auditor-General's
2010 report, but said it was logical to have an independent body also scrutinise the response.

"I expect the audit will identify any key concerns or weaknesses in the department's
management of Mr Roll's tenancy and any continuing issues around systems and procedures,
with recommendations as to how these may be improved," he said.

The audit will begin this month and is expected to take eight weeks.

AAP anr/jnb

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