Julie Collins on her driving force as housing Minister

How growing up in public housing instilled in Julie Collins the importance of having a “safe place to call home” and drives her to continue to do better as a Minister.

Federal Housing Minister an Member for Franklin Julie Collins at her Rosny office. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Growing up in public housing instilled in Julie Collins the importance of having a “safe place to call home”.

The federal Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Small Business is worried that it’s becoming harder for many to rent a home, let alone buy one.

“It breaks my heart to hear stories about Tasmanians who are facing homelessness and I understand the stress it places on individuals, their families and the community,” Ms Collins says.

“This is what drives me every day as Minister to do better.

“Like a lot of Tasmanians I didn’t grow up with a lot.

“I don’t think my experiences growing up were unique – as I said in my first speech in Parliament, we were an ordinary working family, like many others in the area.

“Families like ours were determined to give their children every opportunity for a happy and secure future.

“Spending part of my childhood in broad acre public housing made me understand how critical it is for all Australians to have a safe place to call home.”

In her first speech, Ms Collins, 51, told of the tragic death of her father when she was just five months old, the influence of her family and late grandfather Fred Peters.

“Even though he had very little, he sponsored two World Vision children from mum’s earliest memory until he died,” she said.

Federal Housing Minister an Member for Franklin Julie Collins at her Rosny office. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“I learned from him that life is not always fair; that luck of birth means we are not all equal.”

She was elected as the first female MP for Franklin in 2007 and has since been re-elected five times.

Despite being immensely private she is warm and personable.

Friends and colleagues are in awe of her work ethic and attention to detail.

“Julie is the most successful federal MP since Duncan Kerr (former minister and now retired judge), she has a degree of humility and is always available,” one friend said.

“She’s not a politician who has got this job by accident. It’s her capacity to do the job so competently.”

Ms Collins went to Bridgewater and Glenorchy primary schools and Cosgrove High.

She left school at 15 because she could not afford to continue her education.

After her first marriage ended she was a single parent to her daughter before marrying her current husband and having two sons.

Federal Housing Minister an Member for Franklin Julie Collins at her Rosny office. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

During this year’s election campaign her daughter gave birth to twins

Like Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who grew up in public housing with his single mother, she is committed to improving housing availability.

“Secure and affordable housing plays such a critical role in determining how opportunity is shared across Australian communities – whether it’s helping to get a job, being part of a welcoming community, or getting to go to a good local school.

“Having the keys to a home can be so much more than just a roof over your head.

“It can open the door to stability.

“As a young child I didn’t really understand home ownership but as I got older I aspired to have the security of my own home.”

Ms Collins has a home on Hobart’s eastern shore and a place in Canberra.

She is critical of the former government for not doing enough to provide housing.

“It’s why the Budget this week delivered the most significant housing reform agenda in a generation.

“We announced we will deliver 40,000 new social and affordable homes, including 30,000 homes from the Housing Australia Future Fund and an additional 10,000 dwellings under the new Housing Accord.

“Our ambition with the Housing Accord is to build one million new well-located homes across the country over five years from 2024.

“With the Tasmanian Government signed up to the Accord, I know this will make a real difference in our state.”

As Minister she will get independent advice from a new National Housing Supply and Affordability Council on ways to increase housing supply and affordability.

“I don’t intend to waste a day. I hope that when I leave this role more Tasmanians and Australians have a safe place to call home.”