Treasurer says tiny social housing increase isn’t slow, despite huge waitlist

Treasurer Cameron Dick says a less than 1 per cent increase in new social housing dwellings isn’t slow progress despite more than 50,000 people waiting for a home in Queensland.

Treasurer Cameron Dick says a less than 1 per cent increase in new social housing dwellings isn’t slow progress despite more than 50,000 people waiting for a home in Queensland.

Mr Dick defended the growth of the state’s social housing stocks as he insisted it wasn’t immune to pressures being experienced across the building sector.

He said money wasn’t the problem but rather “getting the product out and built.”

“We’re not immune to the pressures that are on us with increased construction costs, whether it be labour costs, or the cost of materials, so we’re working as hard as we can,” he said.

“Money is not the answer, it’s not the problem for us, it’s getting the product out and built and we’re working as hard as we can.”

His comments come after it was revealed the government had only overseen a 0.6 per cent increase in state-owned social housing – totalling 337 new homes – in the 16 months to May this year.

Treasurer Cameron Dick. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

The Communities, Housing and Digital Economy Department this week said it was on track to “commence” 727 new social housing homes this financial year as it spruiked its commitment to “commence” 7400 new dwellings by June 30, 2025.

The Treasurer welcomed Brisbane City Council’s decision this week to increase rates for properties listed on short-term accommodation sites like Airbnb in a bid to provide some relief amid the ongoing rental crisis.

“They’ve been a little bit slow off the mark but they’re now acting in their budget,” he said.

Asked whether he thought a 0.6 per cent increase in new social housing was slow off the mark, Mr Dick said no.

And asked whether the government was going to reach its 4700 new dwellings target by mid-2025, the Treasurer couldn’t say.

“We’re doing everything we can to deliver on that and the Minister is working hard but we’re in the first year of (a) four year investment at least from that $1.9 billion (funding),” he said.

Opposition housing and public works spokesman Tim Mander slammed the 0.6 per cent increase as an “absolute disgrace”.

“This government is letting down the most vulnerable Queenslanders who just want a roof over their head,” he said.