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GOVERNMENT RESPONSES
A BED BUG SPECIALIST is at the forefront of drawing attention to the growing problems of BED BUGS in our community.
Worldwide, the World Health Organisation has listed BED BUGS as a health risk and the American Government has held a BED BUG SUMMIT to try and address the enormous social issues they are now facing with BED BUGS, issues we here in Australia will face if there is no immediate, co-ordinated action to control this plague.
Below you will find a record of correspondence with government by A BED BUG SPECIALIST to try and get a pre-emptive response through acknowledgement of the problem and education of the public to recognise, understand and effectively deal with BED BUG infestations. Those affected by BED BUGS can monitor Ministers attitude to this growing issue and I strongly advise anyone who has been affected either physically or financially by BED BUGS to contact their local member and impress upon them the very real menace BED BUGS represent.
The Honourable Troy Buswell, BEc, MLA,
Treasurer; Minister for Commerce;
Science and Innovation; Housing & Works,
21st Floor, Governor Stirling Tower,
197 St Georges Terrace,
PERTH WA 6000
Dear Minister,
The matter I wish to raise is a concern and responsibility of many portfolios: Health, Community Welfare, Tourism etc., but it is in Housing that the most urgent and serious repercussions are being faced.
I specialize in the treatment of bed bugs, a pest that has re-emerged in western countries to the point that the American Government called a summit in March 2009 to address a problem they are now calling a pandemic. Many issues were raised but the most frightening aspect and the aspect I am seeing appear in WA with more regularity, is the spread of the pest throughout lower socio-economic groups. Although initially a distressing problem for more affluent travelers, now, as has already happened with devastating effects in the USA and elsewhere, bed bugs are moving into poorer housing where people live much closer together, allowing much quicker and easier transfer of bed bug populations from household to household. Many of the poor are unable to deal financially with the problem and are physically incapable of preparing their residence for an effective treatment.
Right now I am dealing with: a family being supported in the treatment by Disability Services; two invalid pensioners; and have had a request for help from an indigenous family. All the latter are being housed in Homeswest accommodation. I fear if the residences are not treated or the treatment is ineffective, the people will be forced to move, spreading the bugs to other premises and leaving bed bugs in their former residents for new tenants to endure.
There are many other areas where the problem of bed bugs is occurring and threatening to affect the welfare and prosperity of this state, areas such as tourism, mining, aged care etc., and it is through a lack of understanding and education that this modern plague has been allowed to thrive in our society.
A quick Google search for bed bugs New York, bed bugs Toronto etc, will give you evidence of the growth of this problem and the difficulties different cities are having in controlling this sinister pest. Governments have avoided confronting bed bugs because there is no evidence they pass on disease, but the reality is that no-one can live with this pest and the longer it is ignored in a city, the harder and more expensive it becomes to deal with. Legal precedents have been set and it is without dispute that an accommodation provider must provide habitable premises free of pests. A legal challenge to Homeswest would not only be of great embarrassment but, in all likelihood, be successful for the plaintiff as it is very difficult to say when or how a large infestation started. I have recently been involved in such a legal case where a tenant successfully sued a landlord.
West Australia has the problem and it is growing, but it is still something that can be controlled with some urgent input by government in welfare and general education of the population.
My website, www.abedbugspecialist.com.au can give you more insight into the unique difficulties of controlling bed bugs or I would be more than happy to discuss the matter in person.
Yours sincerely
RESPONSE
TREASURER; MINISTER FOR COMMERCE;
SCIENCE & INNOVATION; HOUSING & WORKS
Our Ref: 30-12966
Mr Terry Glasson
Proprietor
A Bed Bug Specialist Pest Control
117 Grand Promenade
BEDFORD WA 6052
Dear Mr Glasson
On behalf of the Minister, thank you for your letter regarding bed bugs.
The Government is committed to providing public housing that is safe, clean and in good
condition and does not provide furniture or bedding. Tenants are expected to leave a
property in the condition it was found upon occupation.
The Department of Housing inspects all vacated properties prior to allocation to determine
the amount of maintenance required to return the property to a re-lettable condition.
Where one or more issues are identified at a vacated property which require heavy cleaning
or rubbish removal, arrangements are made for the work to be completed and the cost will be
charged as tenant liability.
The eradication of pests is the responsibility of the tenant in single detached accommodation
except where any infestation occurs within three months of occupation.
Public housing tenants are expected to maintain their properties to a standard
commensurate with the general community, which is a condition of the tenancy agreement
signed by tenants. Each property is inspected twice a year, or more frequently when a
problem is identified. Where property standards are not maintained or damage occurs,
tenants are expected to pay any associated costs.
The Department is responsible for the eradication of pests in apartments, duplexes,
townhouses and senior complexes. Where a problem with pests is identified, the
Department will only engage licensed pest control operators who operate under the
Department of Health regulations.
I trust this information is of assistance to you.
Yours sincerely
RACHAEL TURNSECK DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF RESPONSE 
DO IT ONCE
DO IT RIGHT
LET'S TRY AND GET THE POLLIES TO JOIN THE FIGHT!
REGISTRATION NUMBER 1691
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