Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland has slammed the Andrews Labor Government for its arrogance and inaction handling the housing crisis sweeping the Euroa electorate.
Speaking to a notice of motion moved by the Minister for Housing in Parliament this week, Ms Cleeland questioned Labor’s claims it was delivering 12,000 new social and affordable housing homes.
“Despite the best efforts of this Government’s marketing team, the so called big build is hardly contributing to better outcomes for regional communities and families,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Right across my electorate we have waitlists for housing that are completely out of control.
There are hundreds of people urgently waiting for housing in towns across the region, including Seymour, Benalla and the Broadford district.
“I am regularly contacted by people who are in desperate need of housing, and they are continually being told there is simply no supply to house them.”
New figures released by the Victorian Housing Register say that nearly 67,000 Victorians are on the public housing waitlist as of March 2023 – an increase of close to 4000 (3681) people over the previous 12 months.
Ms Cleeland said the shortages in public housing are having a significant impact when accompanied with the current cost of living crisis.
“Residents are already struggling with out-of-control rental increases, shocking house prices, soaring utility bills, exponentially rising interest rates, and an ever-growing cost for their groceries and day-to-day items,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Stable housing is essential to helping those in need get back on their feet, but under the Andrews Labor Government things are getting worse, not better.”
During Parliament, Ms Cleeland said she had raised her concerns about new housing in the region on multiple occasions, but was still yet to receive a response from the Housing Minister.
“All the way back in March, I asked about Government housing in my region,” Ms Cleeland said.
“I asked simple questions including How many houses have been built in our region? How many are under construction?”
“There was no response.
“We desperately need solutions, but it seems like the necessary actions are not being taken.
“Whether its taxes, interest rates, borrowing capacity or supply of homes – every metric for housing affordability is in reverse under the Andrews Government.”
