Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said he’s willing to work with states and territories to boost funding for housing.<\/p>\n
The Government still faces an uphill battle to get its $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund through the Senate, with both the opposition and the Greens blocking the proposal.<\/p>\n
While guarantees of 1200 homes for each state and territory have been secured, the Greens want a rent freeze and more immediate investment to solve housing shortages.<\/p>\n
The housing fund, a signature policy of the Government, would commit to building 30,000 new social and affordable homes.<\/p>\n
Dr Chalmers said the Government wanted to boost housing supply but was also open to negotiating with state and territory governments on possible extensions of funding.<\/p>\n
“Obviously [I’m] not going to pre-empt the conversations that we have with the states and territories or to nominate a number, we’ve indicated that we will be extending it, we’ll work in the usual collaborative and cooperative way,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It wouldn’t be the best negotiating tactic to nominate a number today, but we said we’re prepared to extend it.”<\/p>\n
The Treasurer said a 15 per cent rise in Commonwealth rental assistance as announced in the Federal budget was among ways to ease pressure for renters, rather than a freeze.<\/p>\n
Greens housing spokesman Max Chandler-Mather said while it a positive sign the Treasurer would look to boost funding to state and territories, a rent freeze was needed.<\/p>\n
“Labor’s housing bill doesn’t guarantee a cent in funding for public and affordable housing, and does nothing for renters in the middle of the worst housing crisis we’ve seen in generations,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Every week they don’t act, another renter will be evicted because they can’t afford $150 to $200-a-week rent increase.”<\/p>\n
Dr Chalmers said the Greens were playing games in holding up the housing legislation.<\/p>\n
“Labor and a number of the crossbenchers are trying to build more social and affordable homes in our communities, and some parties – the Liberals and the Greens – are saying that they will vote to prevent that,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It’s time for the Senate to end its political games and get on board.”<\/p>\n
Mr Chandler-Mather said the Greens were still willing to negotiate with the Government on the bill.<\/p>\n
“It beggars belief that the federal treasurer can’t engage in good faith in a negotiation where the Greens have pointed out that in its current form, Labor’s housing bill doesn’t guarantee a cent in funding for public and affordable housing,” he said.<\/p>\n
“[The bill] does nothing for renters in the middle of the worst housing crisis we’ve seen in generations.”<\/p>\n
Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor described the housing fund policy as a Ponzi scheme, saying the number of houses being built would make no difference to the situation due to an expected rise in migration numbers.<\/p>\n
“Labor’s housing policy will make almost no relevant contribution to the numbers required here of houses over the coming years,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We need a proper plan, a managed approach to immigration. That is not what was offered in this budget.”<\/p>\n