Shadow Minister for;
Young Territorians
Seniors
Multi-Cultural Affairs
Racing, Gaming and Licensing
Shadow Assisting on Disability Services
Release date: 05 March 2010
BURNSING DOWN THE HOUSE
The spectacle today of Territory Minister Chris Burns at the sod turning for 20 new affordable dwellings in Coconut Grove would have been laughable if the housing crisis was not so serious.
Member for Sanderson, Peter Styles, said in addition to the new dwellings being funded by Commonwealth money, the Henderson Government’s presence delved new depths of hypocrisy.
“This is the Government that has slashed public housing to the extent we have Territorians waiting up to five years for a place to live,” Mr Styles said.
“Given that about 2000 public housing dwellings have been sold off since Labor won Government, it’s little wonder waiting lists are so long.”
Mr Styles said the Henderson Government should be taking the lead in finding new public housing places and not simply leaving it to the Commonwealth and the Non-Government sector.
He said Chris Burns’ guarantee of 200 new affordable dwellings this year is flaky at best – and will probably go the same way as other Government commitments like starting times for Bellamack and Johnston.
“They’re yet to meet a residential construction time-frame – I don’t see why that one should be any different,” Mr Styles said.
“The Government has failed dismally to meet the housing needs of Territorians.
“Instead of attending Commonwealth and NGO launches, Chris Burns should be doing something constructive to boost public housing stocks.”
