 Housing and tourism groups now join chorus calling for reform
 Government has got it badly wrong on investor property, short stay accommodation in inner city areas
The Hodgman Liberal Government needs to urgently reconsider its positon to rule out changes to short-term visitor accommodation and publicly support a Parliamentary Inquiry into the housing crisis.
Shadow Housing Minister Josh Willie said Premier Will Hodgman could no longer ignore the growing chorus of calls for proper scrutiny around investor property, short-stay accommodation which was having a huge impact on the private rental market in the south.
“Mr Hodgman needs to concede that he has got it badly wrong with his reforms to deregulate visitor accommodation like Air BnB and his decisions are contributing to Tasmania’s housing affordability and homelessness crisis,” Mr Willie said.
“The Liberal Government needs to support the proposed Parliamentary Inquiry into public and community housing, private housing affordability and residential and tenancy issues.
“The opportunity needs to be given for all stakeholders to put their statements on public record and so that recommendations can be made to inform future planning for housing in Tasmania.
“The government should be developing comprehensive plans for housing, including short, medium and long term options, with key transition points and timelines for accountability.
“But it’s become abundantly clear the Liberals are just not serious about addressing homelessness and housing affordability, with Roger Jaensch unable to answer even the most basic questions on this critical issue.”
Mr Willie said the Hodgman Government needed to:
 Outline how it will spend the $125 million promised for housing affordability during the election campaign – including timelines – and expand on the communique released after the housing summit
 Stage a Parliamentary inquiry into public and community housing, private housing affordability and residential and tenancy issues with bipartisan support
 Announce a pause on short stay accommodation for stand alone investment properties in high stress areas and support the proposed Legislative Council inquiry
 Make genuine allocations towards public housing in the next budget after a reduction in spending of $45 million over the last term of government which has resulted in 500 less available dwellings.
Josh Willie MLC Shadow Housing Minister