Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader
With infrastructure spending being revised and reprioritized, the Greens urge the Premier to ensure increasing the supply of quality social and affordable housing is front and centre.
The twin social and economic crises caused by the pandemic are also an opportunity for a fresh start on housing.
Housing is critical social infrastructure. According to UTAS research, there is a current supply shortfall of around 11 000 homes.
This is where public stimulus funds should be prioritized. We can solve the housing crisis and ensure skilled building and construction workers keep their jobs.
It’s win win. The experience of the 2008 global financial crisis tells us the best ‘bang for buck’ stimulus spend is on housing.
The Premier has demonstrated a willingness during the pandemic response to listen to the housing and homelessness sector, and the Greens.
We trust he’s still listening.
Tasmania has an opportunity for a fresh start on housing. We can build well designed, energy efficient homes, rejuvenate the urban fabric to create more green spaces and provide the building and construction workforce with genuine hope for the future.