Feds appoint housing council for $10b policy agenda

A FEDERAL government committee to inform housing policy decisions is taking shape, with the body due to be enshrined in legislation early this year.

The interim National Housing Supply and Affordability Council commenced on January 1, with the panel intended to provide independent advice for government decisions on implementation of its housing agenda

Chief executive officer of prominent property developer Mirvac Group, Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz, is leading the interim council.

Ms Lloyd-Hurwitz has sat on the boards of the Property Council of Australia and the Green Building Council of Australia, and is also on the Steering Committee of Property Champions of Change.

Michael Lennon will sit as deputy chair, who is managing director of Housing Choices Australia and former chair of Community Housing Industry Association.

Other board members on the interim council include:

• Professor Rachel ViforJ, a housing economist and member of the Steering Committee for the Asia-Pacific Network for Housing Research
• Helen Waters Silvia, CEO of the Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre, a specialist homelessness service for women and families escaping domestic violence
• Dr Marcus Spiller, a urban economist and planner and former member of the National Housing Supply Council, and
• David O’Loughlin, Urban Renewal Authority Director and former President of the Australian Local Government Association.

Housing and Homelessness Minister Julie Collins said she looked forward to working with the independent panel as the government pushed to implement policies under its housing agenda.

“We want to ensure our investments are underpinned by expert advice,” Minister Collins said.

“That’s why we’re creating a National Housing Supply and Affordability Council, to deliver independent advice to government on ways to increase housing supply and affordability.

“Ms Lloyd-Hurwitz’s experience in the sector will be invaluable as we continue working to ensure more Australians have a safe and affordable place to call home.”

The Property Council of Australia welcomed the appointment, which its CEO Ken Morrison said would draft effective policy for reforms to boost housing supply and affordability.

“In selecting a leader as well-regarded and experienced in creating housing supply as Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz, the Minister has demonstrated her serious intent to tackle one of the country’s most persistent public policy challenges.

“These nominations to the interim council will enable the Federal government to strengthen its role in addressing the need for affordable and social housing over the next few decades.”

The Greens criticised the appointment and indicated it would move an amendment to ban property developers from the panel when legislation enters Parliament next year, according to AAP.

Draft legislation revealed last month also included establishment of a $10-billion Housing Australia Future Fund to deliver the Albanese government’s housing objectives; including 30,000 new social and affordable homes in five years, and money set aside for housing in remote Indigenous communities, family violence victims and veterans.

Draft legislation is open for submissions from interested stakeholders until January 11.