Victorian coalition says Labor must boost supply, retain local voices in housing reform

Victoria’s coalition demand Labor target supply in its upcoming housing reform package, and commit to no new taxes.

Victorian Liberal MP Jess Wilson. Picture: Facebook

Victoria’s opposition is demanding Labor address the state’s housing crisis by implementing policies that will boost supply, releasing a guiding set of principals it wants the Andrews government to include in upcoming landmark housing reforms.

Opposition spokeswoman for home ownership and housing affordability Jess Wilson said the Coalition wanted all Victorians to find a secure place to call home, and for aspirational homeowners to retain the hope of achieving their property dream.

“Victoria is in the midst of a housing affordability crisis that is being driven by the fact we don’t have enough houses to meet demand,” she said.

“We need the government to put forward policies that increase supply at every opportunity.”

Ms Wilson said reports the government may strip councils of planning and development power could mean the voices of locals are lost, and discussion about rental caps is concerning because that will not increase supply.

As well, Ms Wilson said she did not support the possibility of an Airbnb tax because that would not tackle supply either.

The first of six key points the Coalition wants from the government is an assurance they will not introduce any new taxes. As well, Victoria’s “nation-leading property taxes”, including stamp duty and land tax, should be reduced.

The “voice” of residents in local planning processes should be protected and planning approvals should be sped up.

A review of under-utilised Victorian government land holdings should be undertaken as sites for new, affordable developments. This could unlock land supply in metropolitan and regional areas.

Following the collapse of Porter Davis and subsequent issues clients had trying to claw back their deposits via insurance, Ms Wilson said Labor should “restore confidence” in the building construction sector by overhauling the Victorian Building Authority and the Victorian Managed Insurance Agency.

All local government areas should have achievable housing targets with incentives to achieve them, and process planning decisions in specified time frames.

Finally, the government should provide incentives for investors who make their properties available on the long-term rental market, including by offering leases of five to ten years and giving tenants greater security.

The demands came as the ­National Housing Supply and ­Affordability Council delivered its first report on Thursday, stating the housing supply and affordability challenge in Australia had been decades in the making.

It focused on ways to boost the supply of rental properties via institutional investment. For example, the council reported a number of risks could be addressed to encourage superannuation funds to invest in the housing market.

They include ensuring a pipeline of projects that are suitable for institutional investment, and expanding social and affordable housing.