Last week, workers took the housing crisis to Parliament House.
Nurses, teachers, care workers and other union members came together in Canberra to put forward a plan to make housing more affordable, more secure and fairer for working people.
For too many workers, housing has become a source of stress, rather than security. Rents are rising, home ownership is further out of reach, and people are priced out of the communities where they live and work.
But it doesn’t have to continue this way. We’re pushing for practical reforms that would increase public housing, strengthen renters’ rights and make housing work better for ordinary Australians.
Three practical ways to make housing fairer
More public housing
Australia once built public housing at a scale that provided affordable homes for working people. Today, public housing accounts for around 1 in 50 new homes built, compared to around 1 in 10 during the Hawke years.
Union members are calling for a return to that ambition, with a target of 1 in 10 newly built homes being public housing and a long-term goal of public housing making up at least 6% of Australia’s housing stock.
Stronger renters’ rights
Millions of Australians rent, yet many still face insecurity through short leases, steep rent increases and uncertainty about their future housing.
We’re proposing a national minimum rental standard of two years, while still allowing renters to choose shorter leases if they prefer. Our plan also calls for stronger protections against unfair evictions, action on rent gouging and enforceable minimum standards for rental homes.
Tax reform to support home ownership
The Federal Government’s Budget earlier this year contained significant union-won reform to the tax system, with common-sense changes to concessions for professional landlords.
Despite what the media and vested interests have been trying to tell us, a relatively small number of powerful people benefited from these tax breaks.
Union members pushed for these changes to help tip the balance back toward working people, and we’re already seeing an ease in investor demand and an increase in opportunities for first home buyers.
Secure jobs need secure homes
Despite what Liberal Senator Jane Hume might think, housing is core union business: just ask Lou, Madie and Talei, three workers who shared their stories in Canberra.
When rising housing costs outstrip wage increases, stable and affordable rent – within proximity to work – is driven further out of reach for workers.
Rents have risen by double digits in most major cities, increasing by around 23% over the last five years. And only 1% of rentals nationwide are affordable for essential workers.
Australia’s system isn’t working for working people, and we have a plan to change it. Are you with us?
