❓ Dr. Honey questions the Premier on rental affordability and high-rise developments. The Premier defends the government's housing investment and criticizes Dr. Honey's stance on multi-dwelling housing.
AnsweredQoN 386Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
RENTAL ACCOMMODATION — AFFORDABILITY
386. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Premier:
I refer the Premier to an article in The West Australian dated 9 June 2023 regarding rental values in the
western suburbs, which are typically around $800 for a small unit.
(1) Does the Premier regard rentals
at around $800 a week as affordable housing?
(2) Why does the
Premier not admit that the high-rise developments being rushed through approvals
by his government are targeting higher priced areas to maximise developers'
profits while doing nothing to deliver affordable housing for average income
earners?
386. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Premier:
I refer the Premier to an article in The West Australian dated 9 June 2023 regarding rental values in the
western suburbs, which are typically around $800 for a small unit.
(1) Does the Premier regard rentals
at around $800 a week as affordable housing?
(2) Why does the
Premier not admit that the high-rise developments being rushed through approvals
by his government are targeting higher priced areas to maximise developers'
profits while doing nothing to deliver affordable housing for average income
earners?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I will not reflect on the rather poorly worded
parts of the member's question, which is essentially a personal attack on myself and my wife. We understand the standard of those opposite who
are ready to goad. This government has made a record investment of $2.2 billion
into social housing and homelessness measures that
includes the delivery of over 4 000 additional social homes. In addition, just
yesterday the Minister for Housing and the Deputy Premier announced the
first tranche of the infrastructure development fund for housing, targeting one-bedroom and two-bedroom
apartments, particularly in the electorates of the member for Cannington and the member for Victoria Park.
That is all about continuing to make a diversified pipeline of housing available to everyone. With a median
weekly rental at the moment of around $550, we need to continue to ensure that
a diverse range of social and affordable housing product is available.
Unfortunately, part of the difficulty is getting companies to commit to
building multi-dwellings—units, townhouses and small blocks of flats.
We know that they produce the best possible outcomes in terms of volume, and
also good social context. We also note that
the member for Cottesloe opposes multi-dwelling housing. He hates it. I do
not know whether the particular units he refers to interfere with his view of
the ocean at Cottesloe. I am very sorry for
you, sir, if that is the problem. But the fact of the matter is that we need to
continue to develop a diverse range of housing so that people from all walks of
life can have the opportunity to have secure
housing and a place to call home. We will continue with our bold and courageous
program to ensure that we increase the number of social and affordable
homes and increase the funding towards construction and spot purchase of houses
across the metropolitan area and in regional areas, and continue to drive up
the stock of housing so that more people can find a home and live happy and
rewarding lives.
Several members
interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Order, please! I am taking the supplementary question.
parts of the member's question, which is essentially a personal attack on myself and my wife. We understand the standard of those opposite who
are ready to goad. This government has made a record investment of $2.2 billion
into social housing and homelessness measures that
includes the delivery of over 4 000 additional social homes. In addition, just
yesterday the Minister for Housing and the Deputy Premier announced the
first tranche of the infrastructure development fund for housing, targeting one-bedroom and two-bedroom
apartments, particularly in the electorates of the member for Cannington and the member for Victoria Park.
That is all about continuing to make a diversified pipeline of housing available to everyone. With a median
weekly rental at the moment of around $550, we need to continue to ensure that
a diverse range of social and affordable housing product is available.
Unfortunately, part of the difficulty is getting companies to commit to
building multi-dwellings—units, townhouses and small blocks of flats.
We know that they produce the best possible outcomes in terms of volume, and
also good social context. We also note that
the member for Cottesloe opposes multi-dwelling housing. He hates it. I do
not know whether the particular units he refers to interfere with his view of
the ocean at Cottesloe. I am very sorry for
you, sir, if that is the problem. But the fact of the matter is that we need to
continue to develop a diverse range of housing so that people from all walks of
life can have the opportunity to have secure
housing and a place to call home. We will continue with our bold and courageous
program to ensure that we increase the number of social and affordable
homes and increase the funding towards construction and spot purchase of houses
across the metropolitan area and in regional areas, and continue to drive up
the stock of housing so that more people can find a home and live happy and
rewarding lives.
Several members
interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Order, please! I am taking the supplementary question.
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