Editorial: Positive signs from Qld Housing Summit

Early signs from the Housing Summit are promising, but the government must follow through with real outcomes sooner rather than later, writes the editor.

The early signs are positive the Queensland’s government’s Housing Summit – a direct response to The Courier-Mail’s Hitting Home series – will go a long way to addressing this state’s housing crisis.

But the government cannot afford to lose sight of the bigger picture and must follow through with real outcomes sooner rather than later.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced after the summit on Thursday a range of measures would be looked at, including changes to the South East Queensland Regional Plan and a rethink of how prefabricated homes could be used to address the outrageous cost of building.

She has also asked Mike Kaiser – the former Labor state secretary who is now director-general of the State Development, Infrastructure and Local Government and Planning Department – to take stock of the state’s land holdings to see what can be used for housing.

These are great proposals that should be applauded, but as this editorial pointed out on Thursday, a broad approach is needed to address this crisis.

For the first time, people in many of our state’s cities who have a job cannot find or afford a place to live and it is being fuelled by a combination of record low vacancy rates, higher property prices and interest rates as well as massive increases in rental prices.

So with that in mind, the government must ensure that each measure will have a positive impact, not just in isolation but in addressing the big-picture issues.

The Courier-Mail can reveal today the Palaszczuk government will fast-track approvals for emergency housing needed following a natural disaster.

Infrastructure and Planning Minister Steven Miles will make the announcement on Friday that temporary housing can be built in response to an event, such as a flood emergency, without planning approval.

This will no doubt be of great help during a natural disaster, but will it assist people who can’t find a home to get into accommodation right now?

Probably not, but we applaud the measure regardless, and note that it will help ensure that a natural disaster won’t further exacerbate the problem.

Ms Palaszczuk has vowed to deliver a “concrete plan” in the wake of the summit.

She has now heard directly from the key stakeholders – whose voices formed the centre of the The Courier-Mail’s Hitting Home campaign – and should have a good idea of what is needed.

A report will tabled to parliament in November, Ms Palaszczuk pledged.

She must be held to her word on that, and that it will be a “concrete plan”.

It must be a concrete plan with immediate benefits, or Ms Palaszczuk and her government have not really listened to the industry experts or felt any sympathy for those who have bravely told their heartbreaking stories of living in their cars and on the streets.

Queenslanders who are already living with uncertainty deserve to have answers by Christmas.

This summit was desperately needed, and it needs to be a turning point.

This time in two years, Ms Palaszczuk and Labor will be just days out from the election.

This housing crisis is one key issue they must have put to bed before then if Labor is any chance of securing a fourth term.

INVESTING IN NEIGHBOURS

The federal government’s plan to spend more than $1bn in Tuesday’s budget on support for the Indo-Pacific region will go some way towards improving important relations with our nearest neighbours.

The funding for an increased security commitment throughout the region will include upgrading surveillance capabilities, creating a network of Australian Border Force officers across the Pacific and the establishment of a joint defence school.

The renewed attention comes after the Pacific became a major issue during the May federal election when it was revealed the Solomons had signed a secretive deal with China.

After years of taking our neighbours for granted it is vital Australia now keeps a laser focus on its own back yard.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here