Real estate veteran, former MLC Hank Petrusma on his plan to address homelessness

Philanthropist and former member of Tasmania’s upper house has devised 18 measures he says would help reduce homelessness across the state.

Former member of the Legislative Council and real estate veteran Hank Petrusma. Picture: Supplied.

A former Tasmanian MP and prominent business leader has challenged election candidates to prioritise social housing rather than coming up with “mind-numbing slogans”.

Hank Petrusma, who was the member for Hobart in the Legislative Council for 10 years until 1992, said he was fed up with politicians talking about affordable housing and relying too heavily on advisers.

A veteran of the real estate industry and tireless charity worker for more than 50 years, he has come up with 18 measures to help reduce homelessness including immediately purchasing 50 houses across the state for people desperately waiting for a home.

Real estate agent Hank Petrusma who has worked in real estate for many years seeing the change in property prices. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“We want to hear ideas, not your mind-numbing slogans,” he said.

“Sadly Tasmanian politics has become a blame game. Where are the solutions?

“Hopeful politicians keep talking about affordable housing and MP’s keep kicking the can down the road and the constant press releases about thousands of houses to be built by a certain date is absolutely political propaganda.

“Gone are the days where an elected leader could make a decision based on their own judgement.

“The loudest voices rally and lobby and seem to have forced even the toughest of leaders into a place of neutrality.

“To get a meeting with a Minister, there will be a number of advisers present and they will ultimately play a huge role in any decision making.

“The question then is ‘why do we need elected members if all decisions are made by advisers’?”

Among his policy ideas are removing all building planning processes from local government and establishing an independent, highly expert Tasmania Planning Commission with 3 possible divisions for social housing, residential housing and commercial development.

He also wants the time for new housing approvals reduced to 60 days and “over engineering” of residential housing cut.

Mr Petrusma wants a review of the Homes Tasmania board and says Common Ground was “a world-class model with amazing, skilled Tasmanians” giving their time without payment to address housing shortage issues.

“We should also immediately make building social housing projects of state significance,” he said.

“Homes Tasmania, should as a matter of urgency, purchase 50 residences across Tasmania for the most serious homeless people.

“There are over 900 properties for sale across Tasmania between $300,000 and $500,000.”

Mr Petrusma also said commercial properties in towns and cities with additional current upstairs floors should be encouraged to convert these areas to residential housing.

“We are talking of many hundreds of empty storage spaces in Hobart, Launceston, Devonport, Burnie, Glenorchy and country towns.”

Mr Petrusma said the increasing vicious personal attacks and abuse of members of parliament on social media meant “we can no longer attract the people we need to lead us into the future”.

“How many of them really have the knowledge, experience and skills to make decisions without seeking advice of advisers?

“The future of Tasmania is in the hands of those elected in July – bring something to the table or move on.

“We need to have an instant impact on those in our community who are homeless or can’t find rental accommodation.”

Originally published as Real estate veteran, former MLC Hank Petrusma on his plan to address homelessness