Leading experts from across the country will play a critical role in informing the development of new housing policy with the commencement of the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council.
The Albanese Government is today announcing membership of the Council, replacing the interim Council. Legislation to establish the Council as a statutory body commences on 27 December following the passage of legislation earlier this year.
These appointments will help to ensure the Government’s ambitious housing reform agenda is informed by independent advice.
Ms Susan Lloyd‑Hurwitz will be Chair of the statutory Council. Ms Lloyd‑Hurwitz has significant experience in the property sector and has led the interim Council since it was established earlier this year.
Ms Lloyd‑Hurwitz will be joined on the Council by Dr Marcus Spiller as Deputy Chair. Dr Spiller is a highly regarded urban economist and has been a member of the interim Council.
They will be joined by Council members:
- Mr Michael Lennon, current Chair of Regional Housing and Planning at the University of South Australia;
- Ms Gail McGowan PSM, current Chancellor of Murdoch University and Director of Foundation Housing WA;
- Professor Rachel Ong ViforJ, a housing economist and incoming 2024 Vice‑Chair and member of the Steering Committee for the Asia‑Pacific Network for Housing Research;
- Ms Carolyn Viney, CEO Super Housing Partnerships which focuses on build‑to‑rent housing with a mix of affordable, social housing, market rate and specialist disability accommodation;
- Ms Helen Waters Silvia, CEO of the Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre, a specialist homelessness service for women and families in crisis including escaping domestic violence;
- Mr Neil Willmett, CEO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Queensland.
These appointments will provide a high level of skills and experience to the Council across a range of critical housing issues.
The first meeting of the statutory Council will take place in early 2024. The Council has been operating on an interim basis since the start of this year.
The Albanese Government thanks the interim Council for their service.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing, Julie Collins MP:
“This new Council will play a key role in providing independent expert advice to the Albanese Government to help boost housing supply and improve affordability.
We want to ensure that our approaches to increasing the supply of all housing – more homes to buy and more homes to rent – are informed by advice from some of Australia’s leading housing experts.
This is exactly what the new Council will deliver – I look forward to receiving the important work of the Council.”
