Thursday, 20 November 2025

 Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Minister for Housing and Building, Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts) (12:10): I am rising to update the house on the Allan Labor government’s Small Sites program. As part of Victoria’s housing statement we are unlocking surplus government land to deliver around 9000 homes across 45 sites. It might surprise some in this place that most people understand that the key to getting more Victorians into homes is to build more homes, and where better to do that than on government land that is not being used. The latest round of the Small Sites program will deliver around 700 new homes, with at least 10 per cent affordable housing, on 10 sites around Melbourne and regional Victoria. I am pleased to update that expressions of interest closed last Friday, with over 100 bids received across these sites.

It is really fantastic that there is so much excitement around building more homes for more Victorians. It means that more families will be able to live closer to where they grew up. That is more millennials that will be able to live closer to where they grew up. More people will be able to get to their jobs more easily with greater proximity to public transport as well as schools and services, all of which Mr Davis, Ms Crozier and the member for Brighton oppose. On Sunday these three Liberals organised a relatively small, very sedate protest against building more homes in Brighton. It is in Brighton where two small sites are planned to deliver around 50 homes each. Brighton is a really good suburb, and so are Croydon South, Preston, Carlton, Heidelberg West, Baxter, Bendigo, Geelong and Camberwell. That is why we want more Victorians to call these places home.

Unlike those opposite, who talk a big game when it comes to building more housing but then continue to block and oppose it, we do not think the best streets in Brighton should be reserved for those with the latest sneakers and iPhones. We do not believe that the streets should be reserved for those who have always lived there. We do not believe that those who campaign loudly to keep others out –

Members interjecting.

Nick McGowan: On a point of order, President, I am having difficulty hearing the minister. I would like to hear the suburbs the minister is reading out, because I could not quite hear Ringwood or any mention of any in my electorate. I would just like to have the house come to order so we could hear the rest of the minister’s question.

The PRESIDENT: I think that there are some interjections that are agreeing with Mr McGowan about not being able to hear the minister, and I uphold the interjection. If the minister would like to start from the start, she can feel free, if she wants to reset the clock.

Harriet SHING: I will actually begin from the top if I may. I am delighted to be able to update the house on the Allan Labor government’s Small Sites program. As part of Victoria’s housing statement we are unlocking surplus government land to deliver around 9000 homes across 45 sites. It might surprise some in this place that most people understand that the key to getting more Victorians, including millennials, into homes, is to build more homes, and where better to do that than on government land that is not being used? The latest round of the Small Sites program is expected to deliver around 700 new homes, with at least 10 per cent affordable housing, on 10 sites across Melbourne and regional Victoria. Expressions of interest closed last Friday, with over 100 bids received for these sites.

It is really fantastic that there is so much excitement around building more homes. It means that more families will be able to live closer to where they grew up and more people will be able to get to work more easily, closer to public transport, schools and services, all of which Mr Davis, Ms Crozier and the member for Brighton in the other place, James Newbury, oppose. On Sunday these three Liberals organised a relatively small protest against building more homes in Brighton. It is in Brighton where two small sites are planned to deliver around 50 homes each. Brighton is a really good suburb, as I said and as so many people know. It is a fantastic suburb; so are Croydon South, Preston, Carlton, Heidelberg West, Baxter, Bendigo, Geelong and Camberwell. That is why we want more people to be able to call these places home.

Unlike those opposite, who talk a big game when it comes to building more housing but then continue to block and oppose it, we do not think the best streets in Brighton should be reserved for those with the latest sneakers and iPhones. We do not believe that the streets should be reserved for those who have always lived there. We do not believe that those who campaign loudly to keep others out should be able to do so or that those who think they should being the only ones who can call these suburbs home, because the housing shortage is someone else’s problem, is the way to address the shortage in housing and supply. Rather than spending 150 bucks at a local Brighton village dinner, I can think that there are better ways that people can donate to the call to arms from the member for Brighton in the other place. Rather than block, why don’t you help get on board to build.