ACT Greens Member for Brindabella Johnathan Davis MLA will this week move a motion in the ACT Legislative Assembly, renewing calls for the ACT’s historical housing debt to be waived and seeking a commitment from the ACT Government to invest more into public housing.
“The ACT Government is paying back a historic housing debt of $98.3M to the Federal Government. Over the next three years alone, the ACT is due to pay back $27.7M just to service these debts”, Mr Davis said.
“In response to the national housing affordability crisis, the last Federal Government forgave debts held by both the Tasmanian and South Australian Governments.
“The ACT Greens call on the new Federal Government to waive the ACT’s debt. If the debt is waived, I call on the ACT Government to reinvest the full amount back into public housing
“The ACT Greens believe in a home for all. This was central to the ACT Greens 2020 ACT election campaign platform. When negotiating our Parliamentary & Governing Agreement with ACT Labor, we worked hard to secure a range of commitments related to housing, including a commitment to deliver an additional 400 public housing dwellings by 2025.
“I’m delighted to hear that both Senator Katy Gallagher and likely incoming Senator David Pocock have called for this debt to be waived as well. It’s refreshing to see two strong advocates for Canberra in the Australian Senate.
“The ACT Greens welcome the change of Federal Government. The change presents an opportunity to secure a better deal for Canberrans. That must start with helping the ACT Government buy and build more homes for people who desperately need them.
