Queensland’s social housing shame unveiled

The Opposition is demanding the Queensland Government explain why it has spent less on social housing than any other State or Territory, for the second year in a row, this is truly Queensland’s social housing shame.

The damning findings were revealed in a Productivity Commission report this week.

The revelation is a slap in the face to the nearly 50,000 Queenslanders desperately waiting for access to social housing.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli said Queensland’s housing crisis was a result of poor planning and ever-shrinking spending by the Palaszczuk Government.

“Media announcements and brochures can’t help people who don’t have a home, only effective investment in new social housing will help solve this crisis,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“Queenslanders deserve to know their government understands the scale of the failure and will hold itself accountable to fix it.

“To learn Queensland is running in last place will leave a sour taste in the mouth of anyone without a roof over their head.  Queenslanders expect their government would be doing a lot more than this.”

Shadow Minister for Housing, Tim Mander, said the nearly 50,000 Queenslanders waiting for accommodation deserved better than this government’s record on social housing.

“At a time when Queensland families are unable to put a roof over their head, the Palaszczuk Government is leaving them out in the cold,” Mr Mander said.

“Three months on from the Palaszczuk Government’s housing summit, how many Queenslanders have now got a roof over their head, as promised?

“This Government is spending $40 million less on social housing than it was three years ago.

“Investment in new housing has plummeted by a staggering $100 million.

“Social housing has only grown by a meagre 1.8 per cent over the past nine years; the ball has been dropped at every stage.

“They have failed to release the land needed to build new homes for those looking to buy or rent.

“They have failed to increase supply as our population has grown.

“Now we see they have failed to support our most vulnerable, who need a roof over their head.

“This Government must empower the community housing sector to support the nearly 50,000 Queenslanders waiting for a home and must release more land for affordable housing.”

State and Territory Government expenditure on social housing, 2021-22, per person in the population
UnitNSWVicQldWASATasACTNTAust
$180.98131.53130.33210.37240.76257.00386.361 019.65178.76

Source: https://www.pc.gov.au/ongoing/report-on-government-services/2023/housing-and-homelessness/housing