The Liberal Government continues to try and spin its way out of seven disastrous years of housing failures.
Shadow Housing Minister Anita Dow said despite claims from Housing Minister Michael Ferguson that all is well and good, the fact is there are over 4000 Tasmanians on the public housing waitlist.
“What the Minister fails to realise is that after seven years of failures, Tasmanians can see right through another housing announcement today,” Ms Dow said.
“It is simply unbelievable that Minister Ferguson is touting his government’s abysmal housing track record as a success, when the state is gripped with a housing crisis.”
Ms Dow said that sadly of the 4000 Tasmanians on the public housing waitlist almost half (1,947) were families with children.
“On the eve of homelessness week, and the midst of another cold winter, what additional support is the government providing to assist Tasmanians to get a roof over their head right now? People are being forced to rely on the goodwill of family and friends for shelter while Minister Ferguson makes more empty announcements.
“The government must deliver their election commitments. There has still been no update on the progress being made on the Hobart Showgrounds development and there are concerns that the Government’s granny flat initiative could be hindered by planning costs.
“And today’s Real Estate Institute of Tasmania report further highlights housing stress across our communities, lack of housing stock and unaffordable rental increases.
“The government’s failure to plan for housing demand, land supply, failed planning reform and delayed delivery of social housing are all contributing to more Tasmanians struggling to find a home.
“Tasmanians deserve better than hollow announcements from the Housing Minister.
“Tasmanians deserve real action now to help struggling Tasmanian families facing homelessness.”
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Housing Minister
