The National Affordable Housing Summit group today urged the Prime Minister to retain the recently-created Cabinet position for a Minister who has responsibility across all areas of housing policy. 

The Summit is a coalition comprising the Housing Industry Association, Australian Council of Social Service, Australian Council of Trade Unions, National Shelter, Residential Development Council, Homelessness Australia and Community Housing Federation of Australia. 

The independent chair of the Summit, Prof Julian Disney, said:

“The lack of affordable housing is a major national issue, affecting a very large number of people as well as the general economy. 

“Housing policy has suffered very badly from the lack of an integrated, specialist and high-level Housing Ministry at the Commonwealth level during the last fifteen years or so.

“The establishment late last year of a Housing Ministry at Cabinet level was a major improvement and it is essential that the position be maintained.” 

For further information and comment, contact the Summit group at 0417-663-509 or 0417-975-270.

The National Affordable Housing Summit coalition is led by the Australian Council of Social Service, Housing Industry Association, National Shelter, Australian Council of Trade Unions and Community Housing Federation of Australia.