The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ), together with some of the state’s biggest peak bodies, has reissued the call for the major parties to show they are serious about addressing the housing crisis, should they win the May 21 Federal Election, and commit to convening a National Housing Summit.
Thirteen peak groups have regrouped in the final weeks of the federal campaign to again call for this critical Summit to be held.
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 in a strategic, coordinated and considered way.
“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.
For more information, please contact:
Tim Cox, Communications Advisor