Shadow Minister for Human Services Rebecca White said the Affordable Housing Strategy released by the Minister for Human Services is welcome but falls short of expectations.
“It is a core responsibility of a good government to provide safe and appropriate housing for people when they are in need,” Ms White said.
“The Government’s own report indicates that there is a need to build 656 extra affordable housing properties every year and yet their own strategy only offers a plan to build 225 a year.
“With an extra half billion in GST revenue coming to the state and enormous pressure on the public housing waiting list, the opportunity to invest in affordable housing has been missed by the Minister who has only managed to provide $13.5 million.
“The strategies outlined by the Government include the continuation of many of the policies and initiatives that began under the former Labor government.
“One of the few new ideas from the Minister is an indication that the Government is relying heavily on the private rental market to house people on lower incomes as part of the strategy.
“Unfortunately this initiative will not increase supply which has been acknowledged by the sector and the strategy as one of the key problems.”
Rebecca White MP Shadow Human Services Minister
