Queensland Shelter raises concern over the application of dividend to housing

Executive Officer of Queensland Shelter, Adrian Pisarski, today raised concerns over the LNP’s proposed 3% productivity and efficiency dividend and its implications for the housing crisis in Queensland.

While Mr Pisarski recognises the economic challenges faced by Queensland’s next state government, he believes that this dividend will further intensify the chronic housing shortage in Queensland, and will hinder the state’s ability to effectively utilise the huge investment recently pledged to public housing by the Rudd Government.

“Regardless of who forms government next week, the dividend is not a solution to the current economic crisis and the repercussions of the policy need to be considered,” Mr Pisarski said.

“We have received the biggest ever investment into public housing from the Federal Government, and if this dividend is applied, Queensland’s capacity to actualise that investment will decrease dramatically.

“The Queensland Government have demonstrated their dedication to improve the current housing situation, and this momentum needs to be maintained,” he continued.

Mr Pisarski also noted that a solid supply of social and public housing protects the entire community by investing in the lower end of the market to alleviate rental demand.

“Any Government should exempt housing and homelessness services from expenditure cuts in the current crisis,” Mr Pisarski concluded.

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For further information:
Adrian Pisarski, Executive Officer PH: 0417 975 270
Jasmine McCormack, Communications Officer PH: 0430 227 787