Landlord Liberal MP David Southwick says ‘we’re all broke’ despite major property portfolio

Despite raking in rental income from five homes, senior Liberal MP David Southwick says he is “feeling” the cost-of-living crunch, as he defended his extensive property portfolio.

A senior Liberal MP who rakes in rental income from five homes has defended his extensive property portfolio, claiming that like many Victorians he is “feeling” the cost of living crunch.

As revealed by the Herald Sun, the Victorian parliament is teeming with homeowners, landlords, and even property moguls, which has prompted experts to warn that a deepening class divide could alienate voters.

The Herald Sun investigation revealed Caulfield MP David Southwick received rental income from five properties but has an interest in 16 properties, including his primary home.

On Sunday, Mr Southwick hit out at the “attack” on his property interests, saying that people shouldn’t be demonised for getting ahead.

Shadow Minister David Southwick said it was “unfair” to “attack” his property portfolio. Picture: Aaron Francis

“I’m very proud of the fact that prior to politics, I worked very hard. Nobody should be smashing up people that really work hard,” he said.

“To be able to attack somebody that’s worked very hard prior to politics, come in now and work very much to make Victoria better. I think that’s probably an unfair summation.

“Labor can’t manage money and we’re all broke and we’re all feeling it.”

Analysis of the annual Victorian Parliamentary Register of Interests revealed that just five out of the 128 members of the parliament do not own at least one property.

Croydon state Liberal MP David Hodgett has 14 rental properties, according to his register of interest. Picture: Kiel Egging.

More than half own multiple properties, including a primary residence and a second holiday home or parcel of farmland.

Meanwhile more than 40 per cent declared they were landlords receiving rental income, putting them in the top 20 per cent of homeowners in the country.

Liberal David Hodgett was the leader of the pack with 14 rental properties, while Labor’s Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulos lodged ownership in six properties, including four leased properties in Melbourne, Cairns, and South Australia.

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas owns multiple properties. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Other landlord MPs with multiple properties rented out included: Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas, Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson, Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny, and member for Clarinda Meng Heang Tak, who had four rentals in and around his electorate.

Mr Southwick said it was important for parliamentarians to “actually have some experience” prior to a career in politics.

“Having an understanding of how money works is really important when we have a state that’s almost broke,” he said.

“We need people in parliament that actually have some experience. We always say Labor can’t manage money, well let’s get some people that have worked very hard and can bring experience into the parliament. That’s what I and a number of my colleagues do.”

Redbridge Group Director Kos Samaras said polls have consistently shown that home ownership is a real issue for voters and that the class divide between voters and politicians is deepening.

The registered interests were from July 2024 to January 31, 2025.

Originally published as Landlord Liberal MP David Southwick says ‘we’re all broke’ despite major property portfolio