Published Wednesday, 22 October, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
STEVENS’ ATTACK MISGUIDED: SCHWARTEN
Opposition Housing spokesman Ray Stevens has again severely embarrassed himself and the Liberal National Party with his misinformed and misdirected attack on a Department of Housing/Churches of Christ Care housing project launched today in Brisbane inner-city.
“Mr Stevens’ statement that the Spring Hill project was good news was the only factual statement in his media release,” Mr Schwarten said.
“I do not see how spending more than $1 billion on housing this financial year can be described as a band-aid solution, especially considering the housing budget has more than tripled since the last Coalition Government.
“And I do not understand how Mr Stevens came up with the idea that we have not given due recognition to the community group who is partnering with the State Government on this project.
“I made it perfectly clear that this project is being delivered in a partnership between the Department of Housing and Churches of Christ Care, and today I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Peter Cranna from Churches of Christ to turn the first sod.
“Under this partnership, Churches of Christ is contributing the land, which is has owned since 1996, and the State Government is providing $8.4 million to pay for construction.
“The Department of Housing partners with community groups across the State to deliver housing outcomes. If Mr Stevens had been paying attention to his own backyard he would know that the department and Churches of Christ are partnering on a project in Labrador as well.
“Is Mr Stevens saying that a Liberal National Party government will not enter into such partnerships with community organisations?
“The fact is this project is a win:win:win – it’s a win for the taxpayers, it’s a win for Churches of Christ and it’s a win for poor people in need of affordable housing.”
Mr Schwarten said Mr Stevens’ claims were confusing.
“The Department of Housing owns and funds more than 1,150 dwellings in Brisbane’s inner city suburbs and, if Mr Stevens had bothered to read the whole media release I distributed this morning, has construction of a further 113 dwellings under way or about to start,” he said.
“Partnering with community housing organisations as well as providing a record budget to the Department of Housing to build and buy more social housing are decisive strategies and actions, and the Bligh Government is already doing it.
“Is this what the people of Queensland can expect from the Liberal National Party? Attacks on any government initiative in order to grab a headline.
“It’s about time Mr Stevens stopped criticizing and told the people of Queensland his social housing policy. The trouble is, he doesn’t have one, and the Liberals and Nationals haven’t had one for ten years.
“It is he, and his party, that isn’t cutting the mustard and until he releases his policy he simply cannot be taken seriously.”
Media contact: Scott Chandler on (07) 3237 1832
“Mr Stevens’ statement that the Spring Hill project was good news was the only factual statement in his media release,” Mr Schwarten said.
“I do not see how spending more than $1 billion on housing this financial year can be described as a band-aid solution, especially considering the housing budget has more than tripled since the last Coalition Government.
“And I do not understand how Mr Stevens came up with the idea that we have not given due recognition to the community group who is partnering with the State Government on this project.
“I made it perfectly clear that this project is being delivered in a partnership between the Department of Housing and Churches of Christ Care, and today I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Peter Cranna from Churches of Christ to turn the first sod.
“Under this partnership, Churches of Christ is contributing the land, which is has owned since 1996, and the State Government is providing $8.4 million to pay for construction.
“The Department of Housing partners with community groups across the State to deliver housing outcomes. If Mr Stevens had been paying attention to his own backyard he would know that the department and Churches of Christ are partnering on a project in Labrador as well.
“Is Mr Stevens saying that a Liberal National Party government will not enter into such partnerships with community organisations?
“The fact is this project is a win:win:win – it’s a win for the taxpayers, it’s a win for Churches of Christ and it’s a win for poor people in need of affordable housing.”
Mr Schwarten said Mr Stevens’ claims were confusing.
“The Department of Housing owns and funds more than 1,150 dwellings in Brisbane’s inner city suburbs and, if Mr Stevens had bothered to read the whole media release I distributed this morning, has construction of a further 113 dwellings under way or about to start,” he said.
“Partnering with community housing organisations as well as providing a record budget to the Department of Housing to build and buy more social housing are decisive strategies and actions, and the Bligh Government is already doing it.
“Is this what the people of Queensland can expect from the Liberal National Party? Attacks on any government initiative in order to grab a headline.
“It’s about time Mr Stevens stopped criticizing and told the people of Queensland his social housing policy. The trouble is, he doesn’t have one, and the Liberals and Nationals haven’t had one for ten years.
“It is he, and his party, that isn’t cutting the mustard and until he releases his policy he simply cannot be taken seriously.”
Media contact: Scott Chandler on (07) 3237 1832