Tuesday, 1 August 2023

Ministers statements: Big Housing Build

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop) (15:30): I am pleased to update the house today on the Andrews Labor government’s ongoing investment in the Big Housing Build. Victorians know that it is only the Labor government that will deliver the bricks and mortar Victorians need for access to secure housing. We also know that Victorians – and this goes to the work we are doing on reforms to our housing industry – want a property industry where the priority is affordable places. There is no bigger issue than housing for Victorians. Those opposite might want to block and stop it at every opportunity –

John Pesutto interjected.

The SPEAKER: The Leader of the Opposition will come to order.

Jacinta ALLAN: Those opposite might want to join with the Greens in Canberra and block and stop it at every opportunity, but we take this work seriously and are doing hard work now –

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, standing order 109 requires the Deputy Premier to keep to the subject. It is clear that the Deputy Premier has strayed from the subject, and I would ask you to refer her back –

Members interjecting.

James Newbury: I understand. The rules of debate require the Deputy Premier to keep to her own subject.

Danny Pearson: It’s a statement.

James Newbury: Yes, that is right, but you cannot talk about anything.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Premier is being relevant to a ministers statement.

Jacinta ALLAN: Yes, a ministers statement on housing, Speaker, and I am delighted to provide the house with some facts. Since the Big Housing Build began, 7639 homes have been completed or are underway, and we are well on track to deliver more than 12,000 new homes. Importantly, too, this is supporting 40,000 jobs during the construction phase, an important pipeline of jobs.

Even better, the Big Housing Build fast-track program, which the very busy Minister for Housing is undertaking, is delivering 350 homes in Flemington, 250 homes in Brighton – you had better tell the member for Northern Victoria that – 180 homes in Ballarat and 120 homes in Bendigo as well. We have heard already today that Minister Brooks was in Hawthorn seeing the work there with 103 social and 103 affordable houses. This is what Victorians care about – delivery – and that is exactly what the Andrews Labor government will continue to do.