The Greens have named Senator Barbara Pocock as the party's new housing spokesperson, in recognition of her significant achievements in the last term of parliament in winning rights for workers and fighting back against government privatisation by stealth.
Housing is a key issue for the Greens, who are committed to continuing their growth as the party for renters and first homebuyers. Labor's hands off approach continues to make the housing crisis worse, with money secured by the Greens in the last term the only significant funding currently working to help build social and affordable housing.
The promotion recognises Senator Pocock's significant wins in challenging areas that, like housing, require structural reforms, not just tinkering around the edges. This places her in good stead to continue the transformative housing agenda that the Greens fought in the last term with Max Chandler-Mather.
Senator Pocock will also take on the portfolios of workplace relations and continue with finance and the public sector.
As stated by Senator Barbara Pocock:
"I am delighted to be taking on the portfolio of housing and homelessness alongside workplace relations, finance and the public sector.
"I am thrilled to pick up the baton from the hands of Max Chandler Mather whose tireless work put the 31% of people who rent in our country as well as those who face runaway rents and insecure housing, at the centre of our country's politics.
"Housing remains a key campaign for the Greens into the 48th parliament. In Australia, the crisis for renters and those trying to purchase their first home continues to get worse and there are 37,800 people experiencing chronic homelessness across Australia, living precarious lives without safe housing. Lack of housing is a runaway engine driving inequality in our country and it's a major force for intergenerational inequality across the nation.
"In the last term of Parliament, I successfully fought for the right to disconnect, for stronger industrial protections for workers, and to stop the growing drain of consultants on the public service. Stopping the housing crisis requires big changes, not just more of Labor's tinkering around the edges.
"I intend to do everything I can, alongside my Greens' colleagues, to fight for renters, first home buyers and those experiencing homelessness, to address the ongoing crisis that is the result of poor policies from the major parties over the past quarter century.
"There is plenty of work to do, but we are ready and willing to take on the challenge and we know what needs to be done. We need to cap rents to enable first home buyers to get into the market while addressing the unfair tax advantages that give wealthy property investors extraordinary advantages in the housing market. We must improve the supply and development of affordable and social housing to help end homelessness and provide people with support and a safe place to live.
"Housing and homelessness will remain a key campaign and focus for the Greens as the crisis gets exponentially worse for every day that the government fails to act appropriately. We are determined to end Australia's shameful housing and homelessness crisis. I look forward to taking on this portfolio as I continue to build on Max's work to fix the housing crisis."
