Wednesday, 10 September 2025

Responses

Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Minister for Housing and Building, Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts) (19:02): There were 21 adjournments, and I am very happy to provide those to the relevant people for response in accordance with the standing orders. In response to Mr Batchelor’s adjournment matter I would be delighted to join him at Essex Street in Prahran to discuss and see for ourselves the further work that is happening as the ongoing investment into social housing in our inner-urban environments continues.

Mr Puglielli, the matter that you have raised this evening on affordable housing is something which I know that you have a deep interest in, and it is something which we have discussed in this chamber on a number of occasions. Melbourne is in fact comparatively much better than many other states for housing affordability for renters. We know that the vacancy rate is also indicative of a greater availability of properties, and this is not happening by accident – it is happening because of a combination of factors, including planning reform, more than 130 changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 and the development and delivery of mixed-tenure models of housing, and the eligibility requirements, as you have indicated are a focus for you, on social and affordable housing are really important.

I just want to take you to a couple of those components for the way in which we develop and deliver affordable housing around the state. We know, for example, that median prices and income are a significant driver for financial hardship, and that is where the affordable housing system comes into play. That is defined by way of singles and family household incomes for both metropolitan and regional Victoria. It is really important that as we work to deliver affordable housing we are doing so in a way that makes sure there is an added layer of protection there, not only setting rates at 10 per cent below the area’s median market rent but having that additional protection of a cap set at 30 per cent of the median income, with rent increasing each year but not more than 5 per cent. This is where again, as I indicated in response to a question yesterday in this place, working alongside Consumer Affairs Victoria is a big part of making sure that we do have that measure of certainty around affordability and affordable housing within that class of typologies. Homes Victoria’s affordable housing homes are rented under a three-year fixed-term rental agreement, which also provides renters with more security, with an option to extend for a further three years after the expiry of that further term.

It is also important, though, that we preserve the balance on eligibility for the purpose of the affordable housing system at the same time that we develop and deliver more housing stock. As we know, the delivery of additional housing stock puts downward pressure on prices both for purchasing and for renting, and we know that the record investments that we have made, alongside planning reforms in the housing statement, have contributed to Australia’s best numbers of commencements, planning approvals and completions for housing. That, alongside rental reforms, is ensuring that we are able to address the issues and the opportunities around delivering better affordability, along with a range of measures such as private rental assistance and the affordability mechanisms provided in a range of other parts within government. Again, Mr Puglielli, we are looking forward to continuing to deliver on that work, including through mixed-tenure models and including through the development and delivery of housing, particularly in those inner-ring suburbs as we treble the density of high-rise tower sites to ensure that more people can get access to a home closer to where they grew up.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: The house stands adjourned.

House adjourned 7:05 pm.