The Greens welcome the announced independent review into Homes Tasmania by the Liberal Government, which will look into the governance, reporting and effectiveness in supplying Tasmanians with more homes. The Liberals announcement of a review into Homes Tasmania two years early is an acknowledgement that their plan to build 10,000 homes just isn’t working.
The creation of Homes Tasmania as a statutory authority for the delivery of social and affordable housing was always a neoliberal response to a problem created by a neoliberal policy. The Greens have always maintained that to ensure Tasmanians have the homes they need, the Liberals should be drastically increasing their investment in building new homes.
The Liberal Government has been more focused on fudging the numbers to achieve their target than actually building the houses Tasmanians need. They’ve included vacant land, crisis accommodation and private rentals temporarily helped by incentives towards their 10,000 homes target.
Every Tasmanian should have a place to call home. Safe housing is more than a basic need, it’s a fundamental human right. But under the Liberals, it’s becoming harder and harder to find an affordable home. The housing crisis has worsened, and the public housing waitlist blown out.
It’s time for the Liberals to admit that what’s really needed is more investment in housing for Tasmanians, instead of billion-dollar stadium. The Liberal Government must stop prioritising development over their clear imperative to build social and affordable homes for Tasmanians.
