Pocock tackles housing shortage with laws holding states to account
Governments would be legally required to improve the country’s housing supply against set targets and make properties more affordable under laws set to come before parliament.
A proposal being put forward on Monday by independents David Pocock and Kylea Tink would force governments to maintain a 10-year housing and homelessness plan in line with mandated objectives.
The goals would be based around improving housing supply and affordability as well as ending homelessness.
Under the proposal, a National Housing Consumer Council would be set up to advocate on behalf of tenants and prospective buyers.
A separate office would also be established to provide oversight of progress to the housing strategy.
Senator Pocock said greater ambition was needed to solve housing issues in Australia.
“The complexity of this crisis requires a long-term strategy and commitment that endures beyond short-term political cycles,” he said.
“Legislating the ongoing requirement for a national housing and homelessness plan can help deliver that.”
The laws will be jointly introduced in the House of Representatives and the Senate on Monday as a private members’ bill.
The proposal has also been backed in an open letter to Housing Minister Julie Collins by more than 100 organisations and advocates, including former Liberal MP John Alexander, previous Labor senator Doug Cameron, and the chief executives of Mission Australia and the Australian Council of Social Service.
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In the letter, supporters of the plan said a lack of national strategy had contributed to mounting issues in the housing sector.
“Australia’s housing system is badly in need of fundamental long-term reforms as well as short-term relief,” the letter said.
“While the government’s commitment to develop such a plan is welcome, it is essential that firmer foundations for the enterprise are established.”
Ms Tink said a mandated plan would give certainty to providing more homes.
“For too long, our approach to housing policy has been piecemeal, short-term or simply put in the ‘too hard basket’ and the results have been disastrous,” she said.
