Labor’s Shadow Minister for Human Services has today uncovered a skeleton from his own party’s closet.
Today’s Right to Information release to Josh Willie not only confirms the cause of an increase in application for housing assistance was the introduction of Housing Connect in October 2013, but also reveals Labor failed to house Tasmanians in need.
In fact this RTI clearly shows that in 2012-13 Labor suspended and cancelled almost twice as many applications as they approved.
Unlike Labor, the Hodgman Government recognises the growing need to address housing stress and homelessness in Tasmania, having committed funding of $73.5 million to providing these vulnerable Tasmanians with a home through our Affordable Housing Action Plan.
Tasmania’s Affordable Housing Strategy 2015-2025 and the accompanying first four year Action Plan is the most comprehensive affordable housing strategy ever undertaken in this State.
The Hodgman Liberal Government’s Affordable Housing Action Plan will deliver 900 new homes and provide housing options for 1600 vulnerable Tasmanians, creating economic activity of about $235 million and as many as 550 full-time equivalent jobs.
So not only does this RTI reveal an apparent lack of past and present housing policy for Labor, this RTI is yet another example of a waste of government resources by the Member for Elwick, who clearly needs more time to get across his portfolio.
This Government knows there is more to be done, however with the budget back on track we are able to reinvest in essential services such as housing for those most in need.
The RTI can be found at dhhs.tas.gov.au/about_the_department/your_rights/rti/right_to_information_disclosure_log
For more information on the Strategy and Action Plan go to dhhs.tas.gov.au/tasmanian_affordable_housing_strategy