Minister haunted by social housing horror stories, but says gas issues fixed after Whalan explosion

abc.net.au - 07/06
Rose Jackson says she is embarrassed to hear that social housing tenants feel like second-class citizens after receiving desperate calls about serious maintenance issues.

NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson says gas issues previously reported at the site of the fatal Whalan home explosion appear to have been properly resolved.

The government has now reviewed the maintenance records of a private contractor who had previously performed work on the Homes NSW property prior to the explosion on Saturday.

They confirm that residents twice raised concerns about a gas-like odour.

"On two previous instances, there had been issues around the smell of gas on the gas meter that's at the front of the property," Ms Jackson said.

"They were quite promptly responded to."

Rose Jackson visited the the site where an explosion occurred in Whalan.(ABC News: Keana Naughton)

Ms Jackson said some components were replaced and records appeared to show the matter was resolved.

"From what I've seen, I do have confidence that those two issues that were reported were very quickly dealt with.

"And that's based on having a look at the response times and the reported work done," she said.

However she stressed that she was still waiting for the police investigation to determine the cause of the explosion.

"From there, it's an obvious question of well… was it preventable? What could we have done?"

"It's just that we don't have that full information from the police yet."

'Heartbreaking' conversation with victim's mother

Following an extensive search, the body of 30-year-old Mhey Jasmine was found in the rubble.

On Thursday, the minister spoke to her mother, Mercy.

"It was heartbreaking to...
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