Australian news and politics live: Tasmania snap election likely as Jeremy Rockliff refuses to stand down
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The new shadow housing minister insists there are 'no sacred cows' in the Coalition's policy review, including the superannuation for home deposits scheme that he strongly backed.
Andrew Bragg says while new policies are a way off, boosting housing supply is a key focus for him and there should be more attention paid to the 'sticks' to punish underperforming States.
The Federal government has a target of building 1.2 million homes in the five years to mid-2029 but efforts so far are falling short.
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A state election is inching closer as an embattled premier refuses to stand down to spare voters the pain of returning to the polls.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff is preparing to call an early election as soon as Tuesday after narrowly losing a no-confidence motion in state parliament.
The state Liberal leader could have stood aside or been removed to allow his party to continue to govern in minority with crossbench support.
But he is forging ahead with plans to recall parliament on Tuesday to pass a bill to ensure government workers can keep getting paid, before asking Governor Barbara Baker to call an election.
She could approve his request or ask another Liberal MP or Labor leader Dean Winter to try to form minority government.
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Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
‘Unbelievable': Crackdown on housing rort
The Queensland government is cracking down on the income of social housing tenants, as figures reveal people earning far above income thresholds are benefiting from subsidised housing. 'Labor turned a blind eye for years,' Housing Minister Sam O'Connor said on Monday. 'They stopped checking if people still qualified for social housing, and they let rent reviews fall by the wayside. 'It's unbelievable they let people on six-figure incomes stay in social homes for years while others in urgent need were left on the social housing waitlist.' Information released by the state government on Monday showed a small number of notable rorts were being carried out by social housing tenants. Queensland Housing Minister Sam O'Connor says pandemic-era social housing allowances need to be unwound. NewsWire / John Gass Credit: News Corp Australia A Brisbane couple who earnt $200,000 (before tax) were living in a subsidised rental paying $200 a week, Mr O'Connor said in a statement. The government says it has identified a household in Moreton Bay, being paid almost $3500 a week (before tax), occupying a large social housing property and paying $270 a week – this property would rent for $650 a week on the open market. In another example, a Townsville family earning more than $160,000 a year (pre-tax) paid less than $190 a week in rent when Townsville median rents were $500 per week. A statement from the minister said these tenants were 'earning' these salaries – NewsWire has confirmed with his office that the figures are pre-tax. In Queensland, a single person with no kids must take home less than $610 a week to qualify for social housing. A couple with two kids cannot be earning more than $1000. As it stands, social housing tenants must pay 25 per cent of their income on rent; this will remain under the new shake-up. People earning far more than the social housing threshold have been uncovered across Queensland. NewsWire / Dan Peled Credit: News Corp Australia However, under the crackdown, all social housing tenants will be subject to annual rent reviews. If someone is paying less than 25 per cent, annual rent hikes will be capped at $15. Any tenant who cannot verify their income will then have to pay market rent and then will be evicted. The crackdown has a focus on households with spare bedrooms. Figures provided by the minister say 8000 social housing households are 'under-occupying' their homes by two or more bedrooms. People would not be forced to downsize, Mr O'Connor said. Instead, removalist costs or rent-free periods would be offered as incentives. 'We're empowering our housing officers to do what they do best – support the Queenslanders who most need a roof over their heads,' Mr O'Connor said. 'These are long overdue changes to fix the system so it's better targeted to help the people who need housing most.' There are more than 52,000 people on Queensland's social housing waitlist. The previous state government paused social housing evictions and yearly rent reviews during the pandemic.
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
‘Unbelievable': Qld cracks whip on social housing rorters
The Queensland government is cracking down on the income of social housing tenants, as figures reveal people earning far above income thresholds are benefiting from subsidised housing. 'Labor turned a blind eye for years,' Housing Minister Sam O'Connor said on Monday. 'They stopped checking if people still qualified for social housing, and they let rent reviews fall by the wayside. 'It's unbelievable they let people on six-figure incomes stay in social homes for years while others in urgent need were left on the social housing waitlist.' Information released by the state government on Monday showed a small number of notable rorts were being carried out by social housing tenants. A Brisbane couple who earnt $200,000 (before tax) were living in a subsidised rental paying $200 a week, Mr O'Connor said in a statement. The government says it has identified a household in Moreton Bay, being paid almost $3500 a week (before tax), occupying a large social housing property and paying $270 a week – this property would rent for $650 a week on the open market. In another example, a Townsville family earning more than $160,000 a year (pre-tax) paid less than $190 a week in rent when Townsville median rents were $500 per week. A statement from the minister said these tenants were 'earning' these salaries – NewsWire has confirmed with his office that the figures are pre-tax. In Queensland, a single person with no kids must take home less than $610 a week to qualify for social housing. A couple with two kids cannot be earning more than $1000. As it stands, social housing tenants must pay 25 per cent of their income on rent; this will remain under the new shake-up. However, under the crackdown, all social housing tenants will be subject to annual rent reviews. If someone is paying less than 25 per cent, annual rent hikes will be capped at $15. Any tenant who cannot verify their income will then have to pay market rent and then will be evicted. The crackdown has a focus on households with spare bedrooms. Figures provided by the minister say 8000 social housing households are 'under-occupying' their homes by two or more bedrooms. People would not be forced to downsize, Mr O'Connor said. Instead, removalist costs or rent-free periods would be offered as incentives. 'We're empowering our housing officers to do what they do best – support the Queenslanders who most need a roof over their heads,' Mr O'Connor said. 'These are long overdue changes to fix the system so it's better targeted to help the people who need housing most.' There are more than 52,000 people on Queensland's social housing waitlist. The previous state government paused social housing evictions and yearly rent reviews during the pandemic.
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Greens strike conciliatory tone on super tax changes
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"I don't know of many examples around the world that do that, and it's very damaging," he told ABC's RN. "The non indexation of that makes an exceptionally penalising policy as well." The Greens are "absolutely ready" to work with Labor to make proposed changes to superannuation, acknowledging the mandate voters gave the Albanese government at the election. Labor is looking to double the tax rate of super balances above $3 million to 30 per cent, in a bid to limit the number of wealthy people using their balances for tax deductions rather than their retirements. The coalition has vowed to oppose the changes, labelling them unfair. With the government lacking a majority in the Senate, it needs the Greens or the coalition to pass legislation through the parliament. Greens treasury spokesman Nick McKim said he expected to begin negotiations with Treasurer Jim Chalmers before the new parliament returns at the end of July. "We are absolutely ready to work with with the treasurer and with Labor to try and move the superannuation system a little bit back towards what its original intent was when it was set up," he told ABC's RN on Monday. "We want the system to be as fair and as strong as it can be in terms of providing for a dignified retirement for working Australians, and that'll be our aim." Senator McKim said Dr Chalmers was a "re-elected treasurer in a re-elected government" which had taken the proposal to the May poll. Striking a more conciliatory tone, the Greens have previously been criticised for delaying Labor's housing bills during a crisis. The minor party lost three of its four lower house seats to Labor in a near wipe-out in the House of Representatives. Former Greens leader Adam Bandt also lost his seat after 15 years in parliament. 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With the government lacking a majority in the Senate, it needs the Greens or the coalition to pass legislation through the parliament. Greens treasury spokesman Nick McKim said he expected to begin negotiations with Treasurer Jim Chalmers before the new parliament returns at the end of July. "We are absolutely ready to work with with the treasurer and with Labor to try and move the superannuation system a little bit back towards what its original intent was when it was set up," he told ABC's RN on Monday. "We want the system to be as fair and as strong as it can be in terms of providing for a dignified retirement for working Australians, and that'll be our aim." Senator McKim said Dr Chalmers was a "re-elected treasurer in a re-elected government" which had taken the proposal to the May poll. Striking a more conciliatory tone, the Greens have previously been criticised for delaying Labor's housing bills during a crisis. The minor party lost three of its four lower house seats to Labor in a near wipe-out in the House of Representatives. Former Greens leader Adam Bandt also lost his seat after 15 years in parliament. The vast majority of Australians are unlikely to feel the impact of Labor's proposal, with the median super balance for 60 to 64-year-olds sitting at about $200,000 for men and $150,000 for women. Deputy Nationals leader Kevin Hogan said the coalition remained strongly opposed to taxing unrealised gains. "I don't know of many examples around the world that do that, and it's very damaging," he told ABC's RN. "The non indexation of that makes an exceptionally penalising policy as well." The Greens are "absolutely ready" to work with Labor to make proposed changes to superannuation, acknowledging the mandate voters gave the Albanese government at the election. Labor is looking to double the tax rate of super balances above $3 million to 30 per cent, in a bid to limit the number of wealthy people using their balances for tax deductions rather than their retirements. The coalition has vowed to oppose the changes, labelling them unfair. With the government lacking a majority in the Senate, it needs the Greens or the coalition to pass legislation through the parliament. Greens treasury spokesman Nick McKim said he expected to begin negotiations with Treasurer Jim Chalmers before the new parliament returns at the end of July. "We are absolutely ready to work with with the treasurer and with Labor to try and move the superannuation system a little bit back towards what its original intent was when it was set up," he told ABC's RN on Monday. "We want the system to be as fair and as strong as it can be in terms of providing for a dignified retirement for working Australians, and that'll be our aim." Senator McKim said Dr Chalmers was a "re-elected treasurer in a re-elected government" which had taken the proposal to the May poll. Striking a more conciliatory tone, the Greens have previously been criticised for delaying Labor's housing bills during a crisis. The minor party lost three of its four lower house seats to Labor in a near wipe-out in the House of Representatives. Former Greens leader Adam Bandt also lost his seat after 15 years in parliament. The vast majority of Australians are unlikely to feel the impact of Labor's proposal, with the median super balance for 60 to 64-year-olds sitting at about $200,000 for men and $150,000 for women. Deputy Nationals leader Kevin Hogan said the coalition remained strongly opposed to taxing unrealised gains. "I don't know of many examples around the world that do that, and it's very damaging," he told ABC's RN. "The non indexation of that makes an exceptionally penalising policy as well."
