Shadow Minister for Health and Human Services

Letters to Editor

Search Letters to Editor

07
Oct

Public Hosuing

2008

Dear Editor

It is becoming obvious that the 10 year old State Labor Government lacks a firm commitment to deliver public housing for Tasmanians in need.

First, they decided to move the education department employees from Highfield House in Bathurst Street, saying they would sell the building.

Then, in April in response to calls for public housing for the homeless, the government decided they wouldn’t sell it, but would turn it into accommodation for homeless people.

The then Human Services Minister, Lara Giddings, said the initial feasibility study showed no barriers to this idea.

Now, her successor, Lin Thorp, has apparently been told it would cost $19M for the conversion! This represents about $400,000 per room – a massive cost for what should be modest accommodation.

Those sleeping rough in Hobart are not asking for 4 star rooms – they seek a warm building, a good bed and hot and cold running water. Surely, this building could be used to provide such accommodation.

What Tasmanians now deserve is a breakdown of this figure. We also need a strategy for modest and comfortable dwellings to get people off the street.

There are Tasmanians who need shelter in central Hobart now. It is time the Bartlett government woke up to the fact, stopped proffering excuses, and responded to that need.

Sincerely
Brett Whiteley
Shadow Minister for Health and Human Services