At a time when public housing wait lists are blowing out by 43%, the Minister for Human Services Jacquie Petrusma has failed to justify a massive underinvestment in affordable housing during Budget Estimates.
“The Government has found $2 billion for infrastructure projects across the state and has a further $220 million sitting in its coffers but the Minister for Human Services has been unable to secure one extra cent to build more affordable housing properties,” Shadow Human Services Minister Rebecca White said.
“The existing funding to build all the affordable housing properties in this financial year was secured under previous state and federal Labor governments.
“With nearly half a billion dollars in extra GST coming to the state it is clear that this government lacks compassion for those Tasmanians who are facing a cold winter ahead.
“It seems that the Hodman Liberal government regards the welfare of people less than the opportunity to cut a ribbon on a new road.
“If the government had its priorities right it would acknowledge there is a serious problem with the availability of affordable housing in this state and invest in it as a matter of priority to create jobs but most importantly, put a roof over the heads of Tasmanians in need.”
Rebecca White MP Shadow Human Services Minister
