Scott Morrison and his mates in Canberra clearly have no plan to help Queenslanders into safe, secure and affordable housing, once again snubbing the State in last night's Federal Budget.
Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni came out firing today after the Coalition again failed to address the issues of affordable housing, and construction of homes in remote communities.
"It's absolutely appalling that the LNP believes housing affordability deserves just 48 words in a 4,077-word Budget speech," said Mr de Brenni.
"There were no measures for people locked out of the home-ownership market, and no plan for Queenslanders in desperate need of long-term housing solutions.
"The Morrison Government Budget fails the key test of leadership and it once again denied Queenslanders their fair share."
Mr de Brenni said the entirety of the Federal LNP's housing supply measures is to build just 909 new homes across Australia, over an indeterminate timeframe.
"It's a farce," he said.
"He hasn't even considered people who simply can't manage to even raise a home deposit in the first place.
"Based on the measley tax refund that the Liberals are offering, basically, if you can't afford to save for a deposit now, it's going to take the average family a further 25 years to get that cash together..
"Well, that doesn't help people now – this is all in the "never never" – we're talking about another six elections down the line for first home buyers
Under a Labor Shorten Government, families will get their fair share and in Queensland we also put families first.
Mr de Brenni said the Palaszczuk Government delivered 786 homes in its first year of the $1.8 billion Queensland Housing Strategy.
"Last night the Coalition told us they have money to invest, with a 'magic' surplus of $7.1 billion next year.
"Yet they remain determined to rip $1.6 billion from the heart of housing in remote Queensland.
"Had Queensland been given our fair share from the Morrison Government, we could have built 400 three-bedroom homes in remote communities.
"An investment of $200 million in this Budget, coupled with the Palaszczuk Government's existing spend, could have helped address overcrowding in remote Queensland, and saved 600 jobs.
"It could have changed and saved lives. Instead, Morrison and his mates seem intent on wiping out remote communities."
Mr de Brenni said that through the Queensland Housing Strategy, the Palaszczuk Government is committed to investing to build over 5556 new social and affordable homes over 10 years.
"This will create 600 full time industry jobs each year and support thousands more through the building industry supply chain," he said.
"The Palaszczuk Government is committed to providing more Queenslanders with more homes and that's why we have unlocked $2 billion in equity to accelerate partnerships with the community housing sector.
"What's needed is investment, right now, to get us ready for future demand, and that's just what the Palaszczuk Government is delivering."
