Page 3788 - Week 11 - Thursday, 24 November 2022
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the country to ensure that we can provide opportunities for all people to get into homes, particularly those on lower incomes.
MR CAIN: Minister, what do you say to the thousands of Canberrans who have missed out on a block of land in similar ballots over the last two years?
MS BERRY: As I said the ACT government meets, within two per cent, the delivery of its targets in the Indicative Land Release Program. We have talked at length about the reasons why targets have not been able to be met, because of reasons like COVID and ACAT. There are very reasonable reasons why we have not been able to completely meet the target within a few hundred blocks of land. It is a bit much for the Canberra Liberals who, let us not forget, the last time they were in government, sold off a thousand public housing properties. The federal Labor government has committed to build—
Members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Members, enough.
MS BERRY: The federal Labor Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, and his government have committed to building one million new public housing homes across the country over the next five years.
Mr Parton: Do you believe that?
MS BERRY: I believe it more than I did the federal Liberal government, who did diddly squat, Mr Parton.
Housing—affordability
MS LEE: My question is to the Minister for Housing and Suburban Development. Minister, commonwealth Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Housing Julie Collins addressed the link between housing supply and affordability in a recent joint media release on the National Housing Accord. One of the actions they identify to address supply and affordability is:
States and territories to expedite zoning, planning and land release for social and affordable housing …
Minister, do you disagree with the federal Treasurer, Mr Chalmers? Is he wrong about land supply, given that you have consistently said that your government’s land release program has nothing to do with the unaffordability of housing in the ACT?
MS BERRY: No; that is incorrect, Ms Lee.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Barr, you are responding?
MR BARR: Yes. I will take this question, as the National Housing Accord covers multiple portfolios that I am signatory to for the territory, in relation to engagement with the commonwealth. It is a matter that has been considered by the national cabinet
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