A flat 25% gas export tax, as proposed by the Australian Council of Trade Unions, could raise more than $17 billion a year, which could put a roof over of the head of almost every Australian experiencing housing stress.
“Governments have choices about how they raise and spend our taxes. They could go a long way towards ending homelessness in Australia by imposing a 25% tax on gas exports, and spending it on housing,” said Skye Predavec, Researcher at The Australia Institute.
“Or they could continue to give multi-national gas exporters a free ride and leave some of the most vulnerable Australians living in their cars, sleeping rough or couch surfing.”
A cheaper option would be to bring the stock of social and affordable housing back to 1991 levels, which would cost $4.8 billion a year. This, too, could be funded by a gas export tax, leaving money left over for other essential services for Australians, like supports for the sick, elderly and those living with disabilities.
A third choice would be to spend $13 billion a year helping states transition away from stamp duty on home sales, which would put downward pressure on house prices and prioritise owner-occupiers over investors.
A pre-budget report by Homelessness NSW reveals the extraordinary demand for homelessness services, particularly in Sydney.
The Australia Institute has taken out a full page advertisement in today’s Daily Telegraph, reminding voters – and politicians – that it doesn’t have to be this way.
“Housing is a human right. Government policies have forced housing out of the reach of too many Australians. But government policies can also start to fix the problem,” said Skye Predavec.
“Australia is a rich country. Nobody should be forced to sleep on the street or in their car.
“Nobody should live under the constant fear that a rent rise or eviction would leave them with nowhere to go.
“There are some wonderful organisations doing their very best to help Australians under housing stress, but they, too, are under stress, with poor funding and huge waiting lists for their services.
“It makes no sense for Australian governments to keep giving away our natural resources to rich foreign companies while so many Australians can’t even put a roof over their heads.
“The major political parties wonder why voters are turning away from them in droves. A flat 25% tax on gas exports to help homeless Australians is one common sense example of how to win them back.”
