Tim’s ‘tin ear’ on crisis outrages property and construction sector at Victorian Housing Forum

A Victorian government bid to quell growing angst in the state’s property sector has been slammed as a “lost opportunity”, with insiders accusing Treasurer Tim Pallas of having a “tin ear” on the housing crisis.

Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas has been accused of having a tin ear. Picture: David Crosling

An Allan government housing forum has been described as an “utter disappointment”, with industry figures accusing ministers of failing to listen and warning Victorian homebuyers, renters and investors there is “no cause for optimism”.

The state government brought together more than 200 property and construction leaders at the Victorian Housing Forum on Monday to provide an update on its plan to tackle the state’s housing crisis.

But the attempt to quell growing angst among the state’s property sector was quickly labelled a “lost opportunity” with insiders accusing Treasurer Tim Pallas of having a “tin ear” and slamming ministers for walking out before industry leaders could voice their concerns.

Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas. Picture: Getty

Premier Jacinta Allan told reporters outside the event that the government was pulling “every lever we can to build more homes” because the “status quo is just not an option”.

But a senior property figure said the summit — which followed six months worth of consultation led by housing boss Jeroen Weimar — was proof the government was refusing to listen.

He slammed a speech by Treasurer Tim Pallas in which the senior minister claimed that the government was “listening to industry”, calling it “more of the same” and accusing him of refusing to acknowledge that the government’s policies are “not working for housing”.

“He appears to have accepted no responsibility, nor taken on any feedback from the industry as to why the supply of housing has come to a grinding halt,” he said.

“His tin ear to the plight of industry participants, and the damage caused by his government’s policies, meant participants were subjected to his rose coloured views of the poor state of the Victorian economy, even trying to downplay the extent and impact of the Victoria government debt mountain.”

For months, the sector has been calling for the government to strip back soaring property taxes and planning red tape.

The leading industry figure said “extensive consultation” by Mr Weimar - who has been brought in to oversee the delivery of the government’s centrepiece housing policy - had led attendees to believe the Premier would be rolling out a plan based on industry feedback.

“Unfortunately, it was nothing of the sort,” he said.

“Not one of the practical solutions suggested by industry has been taken on board and attendees were left wondering what the purpose of the forum was.”

Premier Jacinta Allan and Jeroen Weimar outside the Victorian Housing Forum conference in Melbourne on August 5, 2024. Picture: David Crosling

He said what should have been a “golden opportunity” to show the industry ministers had been listening was instead “a lost opportunity”.

“Unfortunately, aspiring home buyers, renters, and property investors in Victoria have no cause for optimism following this forum,” he said.

Another attendee and leading industry figure noted all ministers got up and left before an industry panel discussing the barriers to building more housing began.

“The whole cabinet getting up and leaving before even hearing from industry was very disappointing,” she said.

“Bit hard to hear what people have to say when you’re not in the room.”

A government adviser later said the ministers had to run off to meetings.

In her speech on Monday, Ms Allan said the government had “unlocked over 13 MCGs worth of surplus government land” for new homes, with plans to build 500 homes at the old Vic Roads site on Denmark St in Kew.

The forum was held almost a year after the government rolled out the Housing Statement which aims to fast-track planning approvals and free up government land for residential developments in a bid to build 80,000 homes a year for a decade.

Property Council of Australia Victorian chief executive Cath Evans said while the chance to hear from the government was appreciated, the sector has been “very clear” that soaring taxes are one of the biggest barriers to stimulating more housing.

“Unfortunately there is little in what we heard this morning that will boost industry confidence,” she said.