Thursday, 30 November 2023
Questions without notice and ministers statements
Public housing
Public housing
Richard RIORDAN (Polwarth) (14:41): At the recent Flemington towers community meeting –
The SPEAKER: Who is your question to?
Richard RIORDAN: My question is to the Premier.
Jacinta Allan: You get to look down for the day.
Richard RIORDAN: I did not want to miss it, Premier. At the recent Flemington towers community meeting I met Abbas. Abbas came to Australia as a refugee from Ethiopia. He has been waiting for public housing for 16 years. He has physical disabilities and requires 24/7 support. Ahead of the last election Labor promised that vulnerable Victorians would get the support they need and they want. Why has this government failed Abbas?
Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:42): I thank the member for Polwarth for his question, and as the Minister for Health before me this afternoon has done and as I have done previously in the house, if the member wishes to provide additional information and detail about Abbas and his particular set of circumstances we are happy to follow that up with the housing minister and the relevant housing organisation. We have made this offer to every question that has been put to us by those opposite when individual case studies have been put forward. I acknowledge the member for Gippsland South, who has provided – I think it was Gippsland South – details of a young woman from Sale referred to earlier in the week in the house who had particular housing challenges, but on no other occasion this week or last week –
Peter Walsh: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is actually misleading the house. I sent her an email about the issue that I raised.
The SPEAKER: That is not a point of order, Leader of the Nationals.
The SPEAKER: It is not a point of order.
A member interjected.
The SPEAKER: The minister will come to order.
Jacinta ALLAN: Also, the member referenced that he was on a public housing tower site. The example he has offered is exactly why we are, through the housing statement, undertaking the largest urban regeneration project of our public housing estate to build more homes. Now, I note for the member for Polwarth that the Greens political party have been active in their opposition to this program of urban renewal and building more homes. I would hope he was not as well, because if he genuinely wants to work with the government on how we can build more homes, more social and affordable homes, then we would be delighted if the member for Polwarth would show the leadership that is far lacking in other parts of his party room in terms of supporting the construction –
James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is now debating the question on an important matter, and she is doing herself a disservice.
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER: Order! Minister! I would ask members, if they are raising points of order, to be succinct. There is no need for added commentary. The Premier to continue answering the question that was asked.
Jacinta ALLAN: Again I reiterate to the member for Polwarth: should he provide us with further information, we will follow up the issue of Abbas and come back to him.
The SPEAKER: The member for South-West Coast can leave the chamber for half an hour.
Member for South-West Coast withdrew from chamber.
Richard RIORDAN (Polwarth) (14:46): If it pleases the Speaker, I can table for the Premier Abbas’s application. After 16 years I am sure there are multiple copies in the department.
The SPEAKER: Do you have supplementary question, member for Polwarth?
Richard RIORDAN: I do have a supplementary, but I table it for the benefit of the Premier. My supplementary question is: Abbas has to leave his temporary accommodation in January 2024. He will then be homeless. Why does Abbas, like over 65,000 other Victorians who need public housing, have to suffer because of this government’s failure to manage the housing crisis?
Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:46): Again, we will follow up the individual case that the member for Polwarth has referred to. But I will also say to the member for Polwarth that when it comes to investing in social and affordable housing, when it comes to investing in public housing – housing that is supported by the government – it takes a sustained effort. That is why, through the Big Housing Build and the regional housing build, significant funds are being put into the construction of thousands and thousands more homes, and that is in stark, stark contrast to every single Liberal budget that cut funding to the housing budget.
Richard Riordan: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, the Premier knows that her government since 2018 has only created 1375 extra homes –
The SPEAKER: Order! That is not a point of order, member for Polwarth.
The SPEAKER: It is not a point of order.
Jacinta ALLAN: As I was saying, every single budget between 2010 and 2014 cut funding to the housing budget.
John Pesutto: On a point of order, Speaker, the member for Polwarth’s question had a preface that Abbas is being forced out of his housing in January. I ask you to bring the Premier back to Abbas’s circumstances.
The SPEAKER: The Premier was being relevant to the question that was asked.
Jacinta ALLAN: I was referring to sustained effort. Sustained effort in supporting public housing is not standing on the back of a ute in Hawthorn opposing public housing developments.
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER: The member for Narre Warren South can leave the chamber for half an hour. It is very unlike you, member for Narre Warren South.
Member for Narre Warren South withdrew from chamber.