The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien has slammed the Allan Labor Government for leaving desperately needed social housing empty while thousands of Victorians remain stuck on the public housing waitlist.
Mr O’Brien said despite billions being poured into the so-called “Big Housing Build”, Gippsland South has gone backwards.
“Across South Gippsland, Wellington and Latrobe City there are now 19 fewer social housing homes than in 2018,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Even worse, some of the houses counted in those figures are sitting empty, waiting for overdue maintenance while families and vulnerable residents are left without a roof over their heads.”
Mr O’Brien pointed to the Productivity Commission’s latest Report on Government Services which shows Victoria has some of the worst housing occupancy rates in the nation.
“Only 95.6 per cent of public housing and 88.4 per cent of community housing is occupied in Victoria.
“That compares to national averages of 96.6 and 94.8 per cent. It is inexcusable that so many properties are sitting vacant while there are more than 55,000 Victorians on the housing waitlist.”
Mr O’Brien said local housing staff were doing their best, but the Allan Labor Government had left them with an impossible task.
“I know the workers in our regional housing offices are doing everything they can to manage ballooning waitlists, but they simply do not have the housing stock available because this Government has failed them.”
Mr O’Brien also highlighted the growing pressure on the private rental market.
“The number of rental properties across South Gippsland, Wellington and Latrobe City has plunged more than 40 per cent, from 747 in June 2018 to just 435 in June 2024,” he said.
“In the last quarter alone, another 54 rentals disappeared and less than half of those left are considered affordable under the Government’s own definition.”
Mr O’Brien said Labor’s tax hikes and heavy-handed regulations were driving property owners out of the market.
“One local couple showed me their land tax bill jumping from $385 to nearly $2,800 in just three years. It is no wonder mum and dad investors are giving up.
“The Allan Labor Government can boast about housing targets all it likes, but the reality in Gippsland South is fewer homes, fewer rentals and higher rents.
“We need policies that encourage investment and actually deliver homes, not more taxes and red tape that leave houses sitting vacant.”
“After nearly a decade of Labor’s housing schemes it is clear that Labor can’t manage housing and it is Gippslanders who are paying the price.