Dissenting Report by Government Senators
1.1
The majority report of the committee contains extensive and informative
discussion of Australia's housing affordability problems and the resulting
issues and policy challenges faced by governments at all levels, including the
Australian Government. The comprehensiveness of the evidence the report brings
together reflects the efforts of participants in providing to the committee
both high quality submissions and evidence at inquiry hearings. However, in the
view of Coalition Senators, many of the report's recommendations do not
constitute the best responses to the housing affordability challenges Australia
faces, and if implemented, would be unlikely to address many of the underlying
problems identified in the report.
1.2
Housing is a significant part of the Australian economy as it influences
building activity and employment and provides a store of wealth for
owner-occupiers and investors. Access to affordable secure housing is a vital
factor for individual and family health and happiness. It also provides a
platform for social connection through communities and families.
1.3
Clarification of roles and responsibilities between levels of government
is needed to improve the operation of direct government housing assistance and
homelessness services. The development of the Roles and Responsibilities in
Housing and Homelessness Issues Paper through the Federation White Paper
process is designed to progress this goal. Specific reform proposals across a
range of government activities, including housing and homelessness, will be
identified in the Green paper which will be released in the second half of
2015.
1.4
The key report finding (page 5) that the Australian government cannot
vacate the affordable housing space or step back from its responsibilities in
this area is supported. The Abbott Government is not vacating the affordable
housing space or stepping back from its responsibilities. It is addressing the
matter directly by supporting the Senate Inquiry and developing an Issues paper
directly addressing the issues of affordable housing and homelessness in
Australia.
1.5
The Federation White Paper process seeks to complement (and not
duplicate) the analysis provided in a number of other reviews that more fully
address broader housing affordability pressures. This Senate Inquiry into
Affordable Housing in Australia has reviewed the role of all levels of
government in facilitating affordable home owner and private rental
accommodation, the impact of social housing on housing affordability and the
role of all government levels. The outcomes from the Senate Inquiry will be
considered as part of this process. However the Government has a clear approach
to regulation: to reduce the regulatory burden for individuals, businesses and
community organisations. Cutting existing red tape and limiting the flow of
new regulation is a high priority and this has been considered whilst analysing
the recommendations.
Comments on recommendations:
Response to recommendation 1
1.6
The appointment of a Minister for Housing and Homelessness with the
portfolio to be located in a central agency is not supported. The
determination and allocation of its Cabinet and Ministerial responsibilities to
ensure maximum effectiveness is appropriately a matter for the Government.
Response to recommendation 2
1.7
The introduction of a Ministerial Council on housing and homelessness is
not supported. The majority report has not made the case that such a mechanism
would be effective in progressing reforms in a timely manner, or that the
additional resource costs and bureaucratic overlay are justified, and is
inconsistent with the Government's red tape reduction agenda.
Response to recommendation 3
1.8
The establishment of a new statutory body is inconsistent with the
Government's red tape reduction agenda, in addition the area measuring housing
needs is a matter for the state and territory governments. The recommendation is
not supported.
Response to recommendation 4
1.9
This recommendation is calling for the Commonwealth and states and territories
to collaborate in the development of a long term plan. This recommendation is
not supported as it is being addressed through the Government's Federation
White Paper process.
Response to recommendation 5
1.10
Conveyancing stamp duty is a state and territory issue and therefore
this recommendation is not supported.
Response to recommendation 6
1.11
The development of an additional Ministerial Council is not consistent
with the Government's red tape reduction agenda and therefore not supported.
Response to recommendation 7
1.12
The recommendation calling for state and local governments to
investigate the possibility of using Tax Increment Financing to fund
infrastructure for new housing developments is supported.
Response to recommendation 8
1.13
As previously indicated the development of a Ministerial Council is not
supported as it is inconsistent with the Government's red tape reduction
agenda. The invitation to improve the consistency and timeliness of government
information is being addressed through the Federation White Paper process and
therefore this recommendation is not supported.
Response to recommendation 9
1.14
The recommendation is not supported as the reinstatement of the National
Urban Policy and Major Cities Unit is inconsistent with the Government's red
rape reduction agenda.
Response to recommendation 10
1.15
The recommendation to consider developing a long term strategy for
regenerating Australia's urban centres and transport corridors is supported.
Response to recommendation 11
1.16
The recommendation that government owned land represents a potential
source of land supply for affordable housing is supported.
Response to recommendation 12
1.17
The matter of using prefabricated housing and its potential role in
improving housing affordability is a matter for government and a new inquiry is
not needed and therefore the recommendation is not supported.
Response to recommendation 13
1.18
The recommendation is not supported as the issue will be addressed by
the White Paper on Reform of Australia's Tax System.
Response to recommendation 14
1.19
This recommendation is not supported as consideration of introducing
means testing to ensure that the grants are appropriate targeted is a matter
for state and territory governments.
Response to recommendation 15
1.20
This recommendation is not supported as it is inconsistent with the
Government's red tape reduction agenda.
Response to recommendation 16
1.21
As per recommendation 2, the recommendation to establish the Ministerial
Council is not supported as it is inconsistent with the Government's red
reduction tape agenda.
Response to recommendation 17
1.22
The investigation of new policy settings that will address barriers to
downsizing by retirees, including schemes along the lines of Housing Help for
Seniors pilot is supported.
Response to recommendation 18
1.23
As per recommendation 2, this recommendation is not supported as it is
inconsistent with the Government's red tape reduction agenda.
Response to recommendation 19
1.24
This recommendation is not supported as the review of tenancies laws is
a state and territory issue.
Response to recommendation 20
1.25
The investigation by states and territories of national minimum
standards including security of tenure, stability and fairness of rent prices
is a state and territory issue and therefore this recommendation is not
supported.
Response to recommendation 21
1.26
Addressing the reluctance of tenants to exercise their right under the
existing residential tenancies legislation is a state and territory and
individual responsibility and therefore the recommendation is not supported.
Response to recommendation 22
1.27
Addressing the supply of affordable housing is a matter for government
in conjunction with the states and territories, and therefore this
recommendation is not supported.
Response to recommendation 23
1.28
The recommendation to request the Productivity Commission to undertake
an inquiry into the merits of transferring public housing to the community housing
sector is not supported as it will be addressed through the Federation White
Paper process.
Response to recommendation 24
1.29
The recommendation to commit to increase the overall proportion of
public housing as a percentage of housing stock is not supported. This will be
addressed through the Federation White Paper.
Response to recommendation 25
1.30
The issue of transfer of public housing stock to the community sector
will be addressed through the Federation White Paper and therefore the
recommendation is not supported.
Response to recommendation 26
1.31
Coalition Senators support the recommendation to look closely at its
aged care policy so that it takes account of the particular difficulties
confronting older Australians in the rental market.
Response to recommendation 27
1.32
Coalition Senators support the recommendation to commit to ensuring that
adequate funding be made available so that women and children escaping domestic
violence are housed in secure and appropriate housing with the necessary
support network that would allow them to remain in a safe environment.
Response to recommendation 28
1.33
Modifying housing to improve energy efficiency is an individual
obligation and responsibility and therefore the recommendation is not
supported.
Response to recommendation 29
1.34
Access to affordable housing is an Australia wide challenge. As the
Closing the Gap report is working well with its current remit this
recommendation is not supported.
Response to recommendation 30
1.35
This recommendation seeks to commit the Government to a number of long
run spending and policy positions. Affordable Housing policy is a matter for
the government and therefore the recommendation is not supported.
Response to recommendation 31
1.36
The recommendation is not supported as this is inconsistent with the
Government's red tape reduction agenda.
Response to recommendation 32
1.37
The recommendation is not supported, however the Government is happy to
recognise the important work of advocacy and peak organisations providing
support, but recognition does not equal funding. Due to the significant Budget
repair task, in the recent grant funding round, funding was not provided for
advocacy groups in this area. Funding was directed to organisations delivering
critical frontline services. Additionally, the Abbott Government has reversed
Labor's funding cuts for homelessness and will provide $230 million to extend
the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness for two years to 2017, with
funding priority given to frontline services focusing on women and children
experiencing domestic and family violence, and homeless youth under 18.
Response to recommendation 33
1.38
This recommendation is not supported and will be addressed through the
Federation White Paper.
Response to recommendation 34
1.39
The recommendation to improve accountability and transparency is
supported in part, however final decisions will depend on the outcome of the
pending Federation White Paper process.
Response to recommendation 35
1.40
The recommendation that the Federation White Paper process consider carefully
NAHA is supported.
Response to recommendation 36
1.41
The supply of new affordable housing is a matter for Government and
therefore this recommendation is not supported.
Response to recommendation 37
1.42
Any proposed refinement or placement of a scheme will be a matter for
Government and therefore this recommendation is not supported.
Response to recommendation 38
1.43
The resolution of any uncertainly over the effect of NRAS is a matter
for the Government and therefore this recommendation is not supported.
Response to recommendation 39
1.44
The recommendation to review the eligibility criteria for CRA is not
supported.
Response to recommendation 40
1.45
The recommendation that the White Paper on Federation give due
consideration to the proposal for the introduction of HSB's using AHURI's
research as a starting point is supported.
Senator
Sean Edwards
Deputy
Chair
Senator
Matthew Canavan
Nationals
Senator for Queensland
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