The Minority Liberal Government has gagged debate in the Parliament to protect its failing Housing Minister from a censure motion.
For the second time today, a member of the desperate and divided minority Liberal Government has been shielded from a vote on their performance.
Liberal Member for Clark Sue Hickey has launched an extraordinary attack on Minister Roger Jaensch for his failure to properly plan for housing and homelessness.
"Dear God, what have they been doing for the last 15 months in Government?"
"I will not stand by and watch what this Government has done to innocent people through lack of action."
"There is no leadership and it must come from the State Government."
Sue Hickey, Mornings with Leon Compton, 12 June 2019
Yet the Liberals will not expose Minister Jaensch to a vote on his performance.
"Roger Jaensch should hang his head in shame for his inability to help Tasmanians caught in the housing crisis," Shadow Housing Minister Alison Standen said.
"Roger Jaensch has no hope of meeting the critical promise he made last June to Tasmanians to build 900 new affordable 'homes' by the end of this month.
"His best answer for Tasmanians left homeless was to tell them to call a 1800 number.
"Five years ago the Liberals inherited a record low wait time for public housing of 20 weeks; the current average waiting time to be housed has almost tripled to 56 weeks.
"The waitlist has also tripled to over 3,200 applicants, and the Government's own target is projected to increase to 3,400 over the coming years.
"On any given night 1,600 Tasmanians are homeless and many other families are couch surfing, relying on their friends and families or living in sheds, cars or tents.
"The Minister has refused to commit to targets or a work program for the coming year, despite bringing forward $10 million in funding for 2019-20. It is not clear whether there will be increased investment in social housing and homelessness support services to meet the unprecedented demand.
"Roger Jaensch can't run from scrutiny forever and Labor will continue to pursue him for failing Tasmanians in need."
Alison Standen MP
Shadow Housing Minister
