Vic Libs scoff as Premier Daniel Andrews switches focus from Commonwealth Video games to housing

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has talked up a significant shift to return within the state’s housing coverage, however the opposition has dismissed it as a distraction from the Commonwealth Video games fallout.

After per week clouded by his authorities’s name to withdraw from internet hosting the 2026 Video games, the Premier and well being minister Mary-Anne Thomas stood beneath umbrellas on Sunday to tout a concrete-pour at a Melbourne hospital.

“I’ve obtained no bulletins to make about housing coverage at the moment,” Mr Andrews instructed reporters on the Frankston web site.

Nonetheless he indicated massive issues had been in practice.

“As I transfer across the group there’s nothing extra vital than getting extra provide into our housing market,” he added

The Premier mentioned all coverage choices had been on the desk to enhance the state’s housing disaster, which has been marked by surging rents, weak provide and emptiness charges of between two and three per cent in each Melbourne and the areas.

“It’s going to symbolize one of many greatest shake-ups by way of delivering extra housing and extra housing decisions and choices that our state has ever seen,” he mentioned.

Chang of tack

The Premier mentioned there was little doubt there was capability out there to construct extra homes of varied density and thru various possession schemes comparable to build-to-rent.

Element was scant however he mentioned fast-tracking approvals was key for certainty within the sector, which suffered the lack of constructing large Porter Davis earlier this yr.

“There’s no scarcity of demand and I don’t assume there’s a scarcity of builders who need that form of certainty,” Mr Andrews mentioned.

“We need to ship extra product and we need to ship it sooner.”

The press convention marked a shift in focus for the Premier, who this week was battling a whirlpool of questions on pulling out as Video games host, the as but unknown value of the cancellation and who knew what when.

Victorian opposition chief John Pesutto was unmoved by the change of tack, and referred to as the premier’s bulletins a “determined try” to distract consideration from the Commonwealth Video games determination.

Liberals: It’s a cynical distraction

“There may be already a parliamentary inquiry underway on these (housing) issues so for the premier to be out at the moment, it’s apparent and it needs to be apparent to anyone who hasn’t seen it, that it’s a determined try to distract consideration from the Commonwealth Video games fiasco.”

Responding to a question about lifting the freeze on lease rises from one to 2 years, premier Andrews mentioned there was at all times extra to be completed.

Victorian Greens renters’ rights consultant Gabrielle de Vietri was blissful to listen to the federal government was contemplating lengthening limits on landlords.

“Limitless lease rises needs to be unlawful,” she mentioned in an announcement.

“With so many renters across the state dealing with housing stress and homelessness, the federal government can’t delay any longer and must act now.”

Ms de Vietri additionally referred to as for a right away lease freeze, regulation on quick keep lodging comparable to Airbnb and better taxes for vacant actual property.

-AAP