VLGA    M E D I A     R E L E A S E

9 May 2007

 

Federal Budget sends mixed messages on
‘social and environmental sustainability of housing’

 

Yesterday’s Federal Budget has been greeted by the Victorian Local Governance Association as “an important recognition that government responses to housing need to be both socially and environmentally sustainable”.

 

The VLGA joined with many housing advocates in welcoming the extension of Commonwealth Rent Assistance to students.

 

“It is timely that the previous injustice that saw students across rural and metropolitan Australia struggle to meet all housing, bills and food on less than $180 each week has been addressed,” the VLGA’s CEO Ms Rae Perry said.

 

“However, while the Federal Government was making friendly noises about increases to Commonwealth Rent Assistance and First Homeowner Programs in the lead-up to the Federal Budget, it seems the housing crisis has slipped their minds.

 

“While we welcome the modest income tax cuts, these are very unlikely to cover rising rents and mortgage payments that are putting hundreds of thousands of Australians in the unenviable position of choosing between paying their rent,  mortgage, household bills or buying food.  This is simply not socially sustainable in the 21^st century.

 

“The VLGA is disappointed that the Federal Government has not followed the actions of many State Governments to grow public and affordable community rental housing.

 

“Addressing the most basic of human rights – access to affordable and secure housing – should not be seen as an optional extra but as a core nation-building role for the Federal Government.”

 

Applauding significant extensions to rebates for solar panels and water tanks, Ms Perry also reminded the Federal Government that there was a social dimension to environmental sustainability that would need to be tackled in the very near future.

 

“The VLGA agrees that subsidising the up-front costs of solar panels and water tanks will lead to their increasing popularity. However, for many Australians living in environmentally unsustainable public housing or low cost private rental, there also need to be schemes that allow them to have access to these environmentally sustainable options,” Ms Perry said.

 

For more information contact:

VLGA CEO Rae Perry on 03 9347 2233 or 0419 750 508.