Catholic Social Services Australia chief executive Jerry Nockles says the Albanese Government’s decision to divest Defence land presents an opportunity to advance safe, accessible and affordable housing for Australians in need.
The Government announced yesterday it will sell off about $3 billion in military-owned properties, including islands and golf courses, to prop up its growing defence budget, SBS reports.
A third of the 67 properties to be sold are on prime real estate across Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney and is expected to rake in an estimated $1.8 billion for the defence budget after $1.2 billion in administrative and relocation costs to fulfil the plan.
Dr Nockles said the announcement aligned with a key recommendation from CSSA’s pre-Budget submission, where it “urged the Government to leverage public assets to support social and affordable housing initiatives”.
“One of the most dramatic impacts of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis is the growing number of Australians struggling to meet mortgage or rental payments or facing homelessness altogether,” Dr Nockles said.
“Over 1.2 million low-income households now spend more than 30 per cent of their disposable income on housing, a burden that is simply unsustainable.”
Dr Nockles said the divestment of Defence land “presents a unique and timely opportunity for the Government to invest in social infrastructure that can deliver meaningful, lasting housing solutions for those at risk”.
Dr Nockles added CSSA would like the Commonwealth and states to identify further parcels of surplus land that could be suitable for increasing housing supply, including social and affordable housing.
“Now is the moment to act decisively. We urge the Government to prioritise housing as a cornerstone of social policy, recognising that a home is the foundation for health, wellbeing, and participation in society.”
Read CSSA’s Pre-Budget Submission.
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Government eyes off fire sale of historic defence properties around Australia (By Ewa Staszewska, SBS News)
