Tasmanians waiting for shelter have no confidence in latest government claim

Tasmanian Labor

The more than 4,300 Tasmanian families who remain languishing on the Liberals’ historically high housing wait list will have no confidence in Gutwein Government’s latest promise to build.

Shadow Housing Minister Ella Haddad said the latest lofty claim by the government that it would dedicate $1.5 billion to new housing ignores the fact they continually fail to deliver on their promises.

“After eight years of total inaction, the Premier and his Housing Minister Michael Ferguson have finally admitted there is a housing crisis,” Ms Haddad said.

“Tasmanians – particularly those in dire and insecure housing situations – are tired of promises that do not result in delivery. They are tired of a government staging photo opportunities rather than building safe, affordable homes.

“This Government has a terrible track record when it comes to building houses and this announcement is a cruel hoax to the thousands who continue to languish on waiting lists.

“The awful fact is that more than 4,300 families are on the government’s wait list, priority applicants are now waiting more than 71 weeks – almost triple the wait time from when the Liberals came to power – and even on the government’s own projections, the list will climb to 5,000.

“This is an out-of-touch government and Minister who make big claims but do not deliver because they are distracted by Cabinet chaos and dysfunction.”

Ella Haddad MP

Shadow Housing Minister

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