Comments by Federal Minister for Social Services, Scott Morrison, on the failure of Federation to solve housing supply problems are welcome, says the Urban Taskforce.
“Scott Morrison has raised important issues that cross the three levels of government in Australia about the need for reform to help with housing supply across the nation,” says Urban Taskforce CEO, Chris Johnson. “In an address to the Institute of Public Affairs, Minister Morrison has stressed that there are many related factors affecting housing supply as indicated in his words below.”
“The full list of interconnected issues need to be on the table. This means land release and planning, regulation reform, infrastructure provision, seniors downsizing, transaction taxes, management and funding of social housing stock, just to name a few.” *(From Scott Morrison’s address to the Institute of Public Affairs)
“Mr Morrison also expressed interest in greater private involvement in providing social housing stock and the Urban Taskforce fully supports this particularly with the renewal potential of large social housing estates like Redfern and Waterloo.”
“The provision of social housing is of great interest to property developers,” says Chris Johnson. “Property developers can assist in renewing the ageing NSW social housing portfolio through redevelopment programs, ensuring this huge property portfolio can be managed in a financially sustainable manner.”
The context of Minister Morrison’s comments is the potential reform of Federation and the way the three levels of Government in Australia interact. Discussions by National, State and Territory leaders need to include in their agenda ways to help reduce the cost of housing for ordinary Australians particularly through more housing supply. It is mainly through increased housing supply that affordability will be improved.”
