Greens labelled housing ‘xenophobes’ by upper house MP Evan Mulholland

Environmental protesters and Green-tinged councils are “denying young Victorians a chance to buy their first home”, a new Victorian Liberal MP says.

A fresh Liberal face in state parliament has dubbed “Green tinged” councils, political elites and environmental protesters as the “new xenophobes” while calling for more housing opportunities in Melbourne’s middle suburbs.

New upper house MP Evan Mulholland delivered his maiden speech in the Legislative Council on Tuesday night where he vowed to dedicate his term to ensuring the next generation of Victorians can secure the “great Australian dream” of home ownership.

But Mr Mulholland, who previously worked at the Institute of Public Affairs, said young families are unfairly being driven out to booming growth corridors where infrastructure, schools, healthcare and amenities are “already a decade behind growth”.

Evan Mulholland (second from right) with fellow Liberal MPs Jess Wilson, Sam Groth, Brad Rowswell and Ann-Marie Hermans. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Instead, Mr Mulholland called for a greater focus on developing inner city middle suburbs to allow young people to purchase their own home.

“I believe it is immoral that large sections of our inner cities – flush with good transport services, schools, healthcare and other infrastructure – remain almost flat, with obsolete overlays denying young Victorians a chance to buy their first home,” he said.

“This does not mean concrete jungles of apartment towers everywhere. It means that it is our economic and moral imperative to champion policies that lead to the building of homes.”

Mr Mulholland – who said he backed a “big Australia” that welcomed more migrants into the country – took aim at the “not in my backyard elites” who, he claimed, “are always the first to demonise and oppose any proposal for sensible development”.

Evan Mulholland says young families are unfairly being driven out to booming growth corridors. Picture: iStock

“At the first sight of any proposal for sensible medium density, protesters with green triangle placards swoop in like a seagull to a chip on St Kilda Beach,” he said.

“To put it plainly, these green tinged councils and political elite are the new xenophobes.

“While these do-gooders and hand-wringers might think they’re fighting a holy war against evil property developers, all they end up doing is sending young families packing to growth areas like Mickleham, Beveridge and Wallan.”

New Liberal leader John Pesutto this week created the brand new portfolio of Home Ownership and Housing Affordability – the first of its kind in Australia – as part of the party’s revamp following its bruising election loss.

New Kew MP Jess Wilson will head the role in a bid to address falling rates of home ownership.

“Our ambition is to reverse the generational decline in home ownership and ensure every Victorian the opportunity to enjoy the stability, continuity and financial security it brings,” she said.