Keith Pitt says lack of housing in Hinkler is state’s responsibility

Incumbent Hinkler MP Keith Pitt has addressed some of the most controversial topics leading up to the May election and whether he’s done enough to tackle the threat of the opposition to keep the Hinkler seat.

Incumbent Hinkler MP Keith Pitt reiterated his stance on the “necessary” cashless welfare card on Friday, despite backlash from a community facing rising living costs and a housing crisis.

Speaking from Eden Farms’ at Calavos, Mr Pitt told the NewsMail that despite little support from the community and promises from independent Jack Dempsey and Labor candidate Jason Scanes that they will scrap the card, it would be here to stay if he retained his seat on May 21.

“We’ve put the cashless debit card trial in place to try and make a difference in the local community,” Mr Pitt said.

“It’s a tough but necessary policy.”

Mr Pitt threw shade at Bundaberg mayor and independent candidate Jack Dempsey, claiming there were only two candidates in the running for the federal seat.

“I think in this election it’s a clear choice between the Coalition and the Anthony Albanese led Labor government,” he said.

Keith Pitt says the cashless debit card is “necessary”.

The cashless welfare card has proven unpopular with many in the community, and with rising living costs the number one federal election issue, the double whammy has left many Bundaberg residents outraged.

The LNP had taken steps to address the cost of living issue, Mr Pitt insisted.

“We’ve taken action on petrol prices, we’ve cut the excise by 50 per cent for six months,” he said.

“We’ve provided one-off payments for pensioners, for example, and others, who are on support and that will make a difference to them as individuals.”

The flow-on effect from Covid and its impact on the already bad housing crisis has continued to instil fear in the community, with the region’s rental vacancy rate of 0.4 per cent leaving an increasing number of people without a roof over their head.

“It’s been a very challenging period of time, particularly with Covid, particularly with a lot of people moving back from overseas to Australia,” Mr Pitt said.

“We have implemented the home builder policy, we expect some 100,000 Australians will take up that opportunity into new homes.”

Mr Pitt had no solution for people currently without a rental, saying it was the Queensland Government’s responsibility.

Eden Farms has been the site of several trials which have investigated smart picking and watering systems and crop imaging using GoPro cameras on land-based drones.

“It takes time, but if they move into new houses, that old stock becomes available for rentals,” he said.

“Ultimately, these are state responsibilities.

“We provide hundreds of millions of dollars to the Queensland Government for social housing. We literally provide billions in terms of rental assistance for those who are in difficult circumstances and that will continue.”

Mr Pitt joined stakeholders at a press conference at cucumber grower Eden Farms on Friday, where he oversaw a watering drone being trialed in their hot houses with the help of commonwealth funding.

The MP said he was confident he’d done enough to support agriculture and agribusiness in the region.

“Six hundred million towards Paradise Dam is a pretty big chunk of change,” he said.

“It was necessary, we have to repair Labor’s failures of Paradise Dam and that is a significant and substantial investment from the commonwealth.

Eden Farms has been the site of several trials which have investigated smart picking and watering systems and crop imaging using GoPro cameras on land-based drones.

“In fact, it’d have to be the largest one I can think of in the local region.

“Whether it’s in Bundaberg or all the way down to the bay, we’re looking to making sure our farmers remain efficient, they remain productive and they remain profitable, it’s in everyone’s interests.”

The federal election takes place on May 21.