Roger to tackle state’s housing crisis as Liberals prepare to announce their new Cabinet

ROGER Jaensch will be given the responsibility to fix Hobart’s housing crisis, with the issue to go straight to Cabinet.

Braddon MP Roger Jaensch is expected be be named Housing Minister with responsibility for fixing the state’s housing crisis.. Picture: KIM EISZELE

ROGER Jaensch will be given the responsibility to fix Hobart’s housing crisis, with the issue to go straight to Cabinet.

Premier Will Hodgman will on Tuesday announce a Cabinet reshuffle after the Liberals retained government at the State Election earlier this month.

After copping significant pressure to act on the homeless crisis engulfing southern Tasmania — with people forced to live in tents at the Hobart Showgrounds — the Mercury understands Mr Jaensch will become the state’s Housing Minister in the reshuffle.

The Braddon MP, who spent the past four years on the Government backbench, will become the state’s first Housing Minister since Greens Leader Cassy O’Connor filled the role in the Labor-Green government from 2010-14.

The Government has already announced it would create more than 100 new affordable homes and crisis beds before June.

Sarah Courtney.

Elise Archer.

The Mercury also understands Elise Archer will add Attorney-General to her bow, alongside the Justice and Corrections portfolios.

Mr Hodgman is expected to keep Tourism and take on a new portfolio of Trade.

Bass MP Sarah Courtney is also expected to pick up a ministry after retaining her seat.

But Hobart Lord Mayor and Denison recruit Sue Hickey may have to settle for a position on the backbench rather than in Cabinet as she enters state politics.

Alderman Hickey can technically keep her position as Lord Mayor in addition to her one in State Parliament for 12 months.

Rene Hidding, the Police and Infrastructure Minister for the past four years, has said he wants to be Speaker, which could leave Mark Shelton out in the cold.

Rene Hidding.

Sue Hickey.

The decision to create a ministry to tackle the housing crisis comes as conditions for for those camping at the Hobart Showground continue to worsen, with police arresting a man at the tent city site yesterday.

The man, who is not believed to be living at the showgrounds site, was arrested yesterday afternoon for allegedly stealing from caravans.

Police said the 42-year-old man from Goodwood was in custody “assisting police with their inquiries”.

The arrest comes as calls increase for the Government to provide after-hours security and social workers for the families forced to live at the site as a result of Hobart’s rental crisis.