On 4 September 2008 Senator Ludlam asked the Minister representing the Minister for Housing:

(1) Has an Emergency Taskforce, as recommended in the June 2008 Senate Select Committee on Housing Affordability in Australia, been established to consult with Pilbara communities and industry to develop a coordinated response to the housing affordability crisis in the Pilbara?

(2) If so, what are the terms of reference and membership of the Task Force and when and with whom will it meet?

(3) If not, does the Minister intend to establish such a Task Force?

(4) If not, can the Minister inform the Senate of when this emergency will be recognised as such by the government, and addressed - given the conditions that people in the region are experiencing and its impact on the sustainability of the regional economy?

(5) What funds does the Commonwealth intend to invest to address the crisis in public and community housing in the Pilbara?

(6) Will the provision of units of affordable housing in the Pilbara be prioritised in the assessment of projects under the NRAS?

(7) Has the issue of 'land-banking' (that is, the speculative withholding of land release) and reform of LandCorp been discussed with the State as part of the discussions about ongoing Commonwealth housing funding?