Social and affordable housing
Dr CUMMING (Western Metropolitan) (09:50): I rise to speak about the government’s intention to exempt social housing properties from council rates. Last Friday I met with the mayors of Western Metropolitan Region, and this was a hot topic. While the government has announced the use of $54 million for social housing properties, the Municipal Association of Victoria says that the cost to local government is $138.6 million a year. The government is saying that it will redirect the money into public housing maintenance and upgrades. What a joke! This government is nothing other than a slum lord. It is not a millionaire, because it is broke. Take a drive around Braybrook and see that no money has been spent on maintenance. Maribyrnong City Council estimates its loss from this decision will be in excess of $2 million—$2.6 million, I am quite sure—and it is going to have to offset it with rate capping. Residents of social housing will still need their rubbish collected. They will still use libraries, parks, playgrounds and maternal and child health services provided by council. The government seems to have forgotten how local government has heavily contributed to supporting residents and business to survive during COVID. The restrictions imposed by this government are yet another case of cost shifting—the wrong tax at the wrong time.