Tasmania has recorded its 8th consecutive month of dwelling approvals below 200, at just 195 approvals – one of the weakest results on record.

In the past year, there have been 527 fewer home building approvals than the prior year. In Estimates last week, Labor revealed the minority Liberal government’s “fast-tracked” housing approvals are still sitting at just six houses in six years, the same number since March.

How can the government address Tasmania’s housing crisis with less homes being approved?

It’s just more evidence that Premier Rockliff’s minority government has not delivered for Tasmanians and won’t help young people access affordable rentals, get a foot in the door of home ownership, or support safe, secure, well-paying jobs in the building and construction industry.

What more evidence do we need that the Tasmanian economy can’t handle the Liberal minority government?

We need a government that’s going to start delivering on the things Tasmanians need. A good place to start would be giving the Coordinator-General some teeth, equipping the Office with the powers to apply zoning changes and assess development processes above the planning scheme.

The Coordinator-General would answer directly to the Premier, they would have a mission to go in and actually get things done – because after the stagnation of minority government, Tasmania needs to get our economy moving again.

The government could also help matters by getting out of the way of UTAS’ plan to develop its vacant, unused land at Sandy Bay. If approved, that project would provide nearly 2,000 new dwelling approvals and help fund a $500 million STEM facility.

Tasmania is deep into a housing crisis, the state is crying out for more supply, and we cannot afford the Liberal minority government that has a track record of failing to deliver.

Josh Willie MP
Shadow Treasurer