Stephen Bennett questions cost of new modular homes in Bundaberg

LNP MP Stephen Bennett has questioned the expense of homes built to ease the housing shortage in Bundaberg, as Labor demands to know what the LNP’s plan is to address the crisis.

The Premier came to Bundaberg to announce the newest modular homes. Image credit: The office of Premier Steven Miles.

Burnett LNP MP Stephen Bennett has called for transparency on the cost of modular homes recently built in Bundaberg.

Premier Steven Miles visited Bundaberg on March 26, to officially unveil two new modular homes built through the state government’s QBuild initiative, with dozens more across the state on the way.

“Our homes for Queenslanders plan is all about delivering more homes for Queenslanders and you can see the proof here in Bundaberg,” Mr Miles said in March.

Despite the easing of housing pressure the homes represent, Mr Bennett questioned just how sustainable and affordable the investments were for taxpayers.

“According to Labor’s own statements, one of these modular homes is costing more than $700,000 on average,” he said.

“You don’t have to be Einstein to work out that it’s not good value for money, the costs just don’t stack up.”

Mr Bennett tabled a Question on Notice to Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon on Tuesday, April 16.
“With reference to the roll out of the new modular home project across Queensland, can the Minister provide the complete costings for the fabrication, construction, supply and complete installation of a) the two recently announced two-bedroom homes in Bundaberg including the cost of the land? b) an average one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom modular home respectively, for all locations across Queensland?”

Premier Steven Miles and Bundaberg Labor MP Tom Smith on Tuesday, March 26, inspecting the latest social housing to be completed.

Ms Scanlon has four weeks to answer Mr Bennett’s question, but Bundaberg Labor MP Tom Smith replied to the claim in parliament on Tuesday, April 16.

“How disappointing to hear, the Member for Burnett attacking the construction of those homes,” he said.

“He is already attacking our plans for modular homes across Queensland.”

Mr Smith said housing in Bundaberg under the former LNP government “went backwards” and that no formal housing policy had been submitted by state government hopefuls ahead of the October 2024 state election.

Ms Scanlon also addressed Mr Bennett’s questioning of the costs of the modular homes in parliament on Tuesday, April 16.

“We have learnt today that the member for Burnett has said that modular homes in regional Queensland are too much,” she said.

“At least the member for Burnett is willing to say what the LNP’s position is out loud, just like he did last time when he said that he wanted to break the back of Queensland workers’ wages and conditions.

“It is about time the Leader of the Opposition said whether or not he supports Homes for Queenslanders because all we know is they will cut.”