The leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh, says the cash-starved Andrews Labor government has betrayed homeless Victorians by selling hundreds of public housing properties despite record waitlists.
Mr Walsh says recently released figures from the Victorian Housing Register confirm almost 70,000 Victorians need public housing and despite the clear and growing need for additional public housing, ongoing sales of public properties has seen Victoria’s total public housing stock grow by “a pathetic 74 properties since 2018”.
Yet he says he believes providing affordable housing to Victoria’s more vulnerable is one of the most basic commitments for a competent government.
“Daniel Andrews’ total mismanagement of Victoria’s public housing stock means far too many people, people we know, who might be friends or even family, are struggling to get a roof over their heads,” Mr Walsh says.
“Across my electorate the cost of private housing and the soaring rental market have squeezed hundreds, even thousands, out of the opportunity to have secure accommodation, and Daniel Andrews is making that worse, not better,” he says.
“Quality and stable housing is critical to give vulnerable Victorians the best chance to reach their potential, yet under this government, waiting lists continue to grow whilst housing stock remains stagnant.
“With Homes Victoria $250 million in deficit, the Andrews Government must explain why it continues to sell off so many public housing properties and what it is doing with the money raised.
“Although you don’t have to be Einstein to work it out – this Premier is fast-tracking us towards bankruptcy and if he hadn’t wasted more than $30 billion on so many projects nowhere near completion we could provide a $400,000 house for every one of those 70,000 families trapped in the housing wilderness.
“There is no excuse for this kind of failure of government – I trust the Premier is sleeping comfortably tonight.”