Leichhardt federal election candidates offer housing policies

The price of housing is increasing at a frantic pace in the Far North and the dreams of a secure place to live are turning into a nightmare for many – here’s what the candidates for Leichhardt say they would do.

AFFORDABLE housing is a key concern as Far Northerners prepare to head to the polls.

Here’s what the candidates for the seat of Leichhardt would do to tackle housing issues.

Federal MP for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said states and territories received $1.6bn annually from the government to improve housing and homelessness outcomes.

“This is part of $9bn the Morrison government expects to spend on housing and homelessness, including more than $5bn on Commonwealth Rent Assistance,” Mr Entsch said.

The LNP candidate said state and local governments needed to supply housing to put downward pressure on prices.

Federal MP for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said the federal government spent $5bn annually on rent assistance for Centrelink recipients. Picture: Brian Cassey

Labor candidate Elida Faith said a Labor government would build 30,000 new social and affordable housing properties over five years.

She said the party’s regional first homebuyer support scheme would help first home buyers get into a house sooner with a deposit of just five per cent without the need to pay lenders mortgage insurance, and it would provide a guarantee of up to 15 per cent of the value of the property purchased.

Phillip Musemeci, Qld Greens

Phasing out negative gearing and capital gains tax discounts, a six per cent tax on the wealth of billionaires, a corporate super-profits tax and an end to public subsidies for fossil fuel companies were measures Mr Musemic advocated.

The Greens would build 50,000 affordable homes annually for 20 years, cap rent increases and end no-grounds evictions.

Greens candidate for Leichhardt Philip Musemeci. Picture: Brian Cassey

Rod Jensen, Katter’s Australian Party

Mr Jensen said couples should be allowed to split wages, and that the issue of title deeds was a problem in remote communities.

“It needs to be addressed so land can be made available for building sustainable and eco-friendly solutions in the Cape,” Mr Jensen said.

Daniel Hannagan, UAP

Mr Hannagan said the UAP had three policies – paying down government debt to make funds available, freezing mortgage rates at 3 per cent, and making the first $30,000 homeowners spent annually paying down their home loan tax deductible.

KAP candidate Rod Jensen. Picture: Brian Cassey

Geena Court, One Nation

Decreasing immigration for five years, banning the sale of homes to foreign investors, increasing the national apprenticeship scheme to train people in building skills, and retaining the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) were key, Ms Court said.

Pat O’Shane, Socialist Alliance

Ms O’Shane said the housing crisis hit First Nations people hardest and housing should not be treated as a commodity.

She said a large scale program to build quality public and community housing across Australia with rent control and a rise in Centrelink payments were needed.

Labor Candidate for Leichhardt Elida Faith. Picture: Bronwyn Farr

Susanne Bayly, Animal Justice Party

The climate emergency and risk of future pandemics were major contributing factors and Ms Bayly said her party had a national strategy for investment in affordable and sustainable housing for people and animals.

Adam Cropp, Fusion Party

Mr Cropp advocated removing the capital gains tax discount, replacing stamp duty with a broadbased land tax, and rezoning to allow high density where locals wanted it.

Paul Roe, Australian Federation Party

Mr Roe said reaching out to resorts, hotels and colleges to consider a staff stay where jobs and accommodation were packaged together was one initiative.

Originally published as Leichhardt federal election candidates offer housing policies