Today the Minister for Human Services confirmed that the Hodgman Liberal Government will be privatising public housing.
Shadow Minister Rebecca White said it’s in stark contrast to the Liberals’ promise before the election to not privatise public assets.
“Labor does not support the privatisation of public housing,” Ms White said.
“We believe it is fundamental for the Government to maintain ownership of public housing to ensure people will always have access to safe and appropriate housing when they are most in need.
“The Affordable Housing Strategy makes no mention of the Government’s intention to transfer the titles of public housing properties.
“Minister Petrusma has confirmed that 300-500 public housing properties will have their titles transferred out of public control.
“This is a worrying outcome for Tasmanians on the public housing waiting list and will do very little to address the problem of supplying more affordable housing.
“The Minister needs to provide answers to the Tasmanian people about how the Government will safeguard access to these properties for people in housing stress if they are transferred and also what provisions are in place should these properties be sold in the future.
“It is also critical that the Government informs the community of the combined value of the properties that will be lost to the public housing portfolio as a result of this policy.
“It will cost tens of millions of dollars to replace these properties once they are removed from the public housing portfolio.”
Rebecca White MP Shadow Human Services Minister
