Shadow Minister for Housing, Jason Clare, joined Federal Member for Dobell, Emma McBride, in Watanobbi and Wyoming on Thursday, October 5, to visit government owned homes in dire need of repair and maintenance.
Labor is calling on the Morrison Government to create work for thousands of tradies across Australia by investing $500M to fast track urgent repairs to social housing.
The Shadow Minister said that 25 percent of Australia’s social housing, about 100,000 homes, need urgent repair and maintenance.
“Some of these homes, like the government owned properties in Watanobbi and Wyoming, have problems such as mould, leaking roofs and water damage, while others are simply unfit for people to live in,” McBride said.
“With so many people looking for jobs on the Central Coast, we need urgent action.
“Fixing dilapidated social housing in our community will not only help some of our most vulnerable residents, it will provide immediate work for local tradies.
“Repairs could start almost immediately, providing work for local plumbers, chippies, sparkies, plasterers and painters, as well as companies that manufacture building supplies and materials.
“This would also provide opportunities for apprentices,” McBride said.
The Shadow Minister said that this should involve an immediate $500M contribution from the Commonwealth and a partnership with the states, with the expectation that they would contribute up to the same amount in new funding.
“This work needs to be done now.
“Instead, the Morrison Government left behind local tradies and people who live in social housing by failing to invest a single extra dollar in social housing in the Budget.
“A range of industry experts have called for more investment in social housing, including the Housing Industry Association, Master Builders Association, Property Council of Australia and Commonwealth Bank,” the Shadow Minister said.
Source:
Media release, Nov 5
Federal Member for Dobell, Emma McBride