[Greens-Media] Shoebridge MLC MR: Housing less affordable than ever; Minister clueless

[Colin Hesse]

16 September 2010   - For immediate use
 
Housing less affordable than ever; Minister clueless
 
 
"The new NSW Housing Minister, Frank Terezini, gave an underwhelming
performance at the Housing Estimates hearing this week in parliament,"
said Greens MP and Housing spokesperson David Shoebridge.
 
"The Housing Minister Mr. Frank Terezini, did not appear to have much
interest in, let alone knowledge of, his own portfolio. 
 
"Minister Terezini  could not tell us if there would be any social or
affordable housing as part of the Barangaroo development.
 
"He said he had not  even talked to the Planning Minister about it, nor
about extending affordable housing schemes to other parts of Sydney and
NSW.
 
"The Minister had no idea how much the State component of Housing NSW's
budget was.
 
"He didn't know why funding to Housing NSW from NSW consolidated funds
is projected to fall by 22% over the 3 years to 2011.
 
"In particular the Minister seemed to have little knowledge or concern
about the fact that the National Rental Affordability Scheme is clearly
not delivering affordable housing for NSW.
 
"NSW lags behind all other states and territories and had only 7% of
the total national share of affordable homes being built to date via the
scheme.
 
"When asked why this was the case, the Minster said: 'I am not aware. I
do not know.'

"When he was asked why NSW's share of the next round of the scheme
would deteriorate even further to only comprise 5% of the national
total, the Minister said he would have to take that on notice. 
 
"Respected housing commentators such as Professor Julian Disney have
warned that the scheme is ill-designed and does not work very well in
high cost housing areas – which is precisely where we are lacking in
affordable housing.
 
"It is concerning that our new housing Minister seems to have little
knowledge of NRAS or any ideas about what should be done to address the
deterioration in housing affordability in NSW. The latest
HIA-Commonwealth Bank index shows housing affordability at the lowest
since September 2008. It's obvious that many cannot afford to buy, so we
need long term secure and affordable rentals.
 
"Given the Minister's poor performance, one wonders if he is just
treading water until he receives his pension on 25 March 2011" concluded
Mr. Shoebridge.
 
Contact: Colin Hesse on 02 9230 3030 or 0401 719 124
Colin Hesse
Policy and Media Officer
Office of David Shoebridge MLC
Parliament of NSW
 
Ph: 9230 3030
0401 719 124