Stevens says yes to housing jobs cuts

The Gold Coast region’s housing budget will lose millions of dollars if the National Party wins the next election, Minister for Housing Robert Schwarten said today.

Mr Schwarten said the Department of Housing had spent more than $110 million on social housing in the Gold Coast area since September 2006.

“A three per cent cut to housing as promised by Lawrence Springborg would mean less jobs in the construction industry and longer queues for the homeless.,” Mr Schwarten said.

“Twenty building jobs would evaporate.

“What we see is a sell out of the Gold Coast by the Shadow Spokesman for Housing Ray Stevens who supports the reduction of housing and construction spending on the coast.

“Unlike his Shadow Cabinet colleague Rosemary Menkens, who stood up to Lawrence Springborg over the three per cent cut, Mr Stevens is not so brave.

“Jobs are being sacrificed on the Gold Coast with Lawrence Springborg’s three per cent cut to the housing budget and Ray Stevens is cheering him on.”

Mr Schwarten said at a time when every job counted on the Gold Coast it was appalling conduct from the Member for Robina.

“Just last week I was on the Gold Coast talking to builders and hearing how worried they are about the future yet we see the National Party Shadow Spokesman, a Gold Coast member, supporting a policy which will cost construction jobs,” Mr Schwarten said.

Media contact: 3237 1832 or 0437 831874