The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ), together with some of the state’s peak industry and social service groups, has reissued a call for the major political parties to show they are serious about addressing Queensland’s housing crisis.
The alliance is seeking a commitment from all parties to a National Housing Summit post-election.
LGAQ CEO, Alison Smith said a National Housing Summit would allow all three levels of government and industry to work together to begin addressing this complex issue and work towards a solution.
“The housing crisis is causing a range of social challenges for individuals, families and local communities. In some of our most vulnerable First Nations communities, overcrowding resulting from a shortage of housing has become a human rights issue,” Ms Smith said.
“Our organisations continue to be united in the belief that every Queensland – and Australian – community deserves to be a liveable one.
“That’s why, as the major parties enter the final days of this Federal Election campaign, we are reissuing our call for them to commit to convening a National Housing Summit as a matter of priority, so all three levels of government, industry and the community can commence working together to begin addressing this complex issue.”
Ms Smith said the rise in interest rates during the campaign had only heightened the ongoing and projected impact of the housing crisis across local communities, industries, supply chains and workforces in Australia.
The Queensland peak groups joining the call for a National Housing Summit are:
- The Local Government Association of Queensland
- Queensland Resources Council
- Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ)
- Growcom
- Waste Recycling Industry Association
- Infrastructure Association of Queensland (IAQ)
- Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF)
- Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ)
- QShelter
- St Vincent de Paul Queensland
- Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA)
- Queensland Tourism Industry Counci (QTIC)
- Master Builders Queensland
Today’s united call follows a joint letter sent in March to the Federal Minister for Housing, Assistant Treasurer, Michael Sukkar, and Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Jason Clare, urgently seeking a National Housing Summit to kickstart a collaboration of all tiers of government and industry.
”Time is ticking and we now need to work towards a solution in a strategic, coordinated and considered way,” Ms Smith said.
