Greens Accuse Government of Subverting Democratic Processes Over Move to Address Housing Crisis

A 'sold' real estate sign is seen outside a high-rise apartment block in Sydney, Australia, on May 8, 2021. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

The Greens have said they will target the federal government’s National Housing Supply and Affordability Council after Housing Minister Julie Collins announced that the outgoing CEO of property developer Mirvac, Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz, will head up the interim body.

Max-Chandler Mather, the Greens spokesperson for Housing and Homelessness, said the decision to appoint a property developer as head of the interim body was completely unacceptable and went against the democratic process.

“It’s completely unacceptable that the government would seek to subvert the standard democratic process and hand over the Chair position to a property developer,” Mather said.

“When Labor finally introduces the bill to establish the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council next year, the Greens will move amendments to ban property developers from serving on the Council.”

(L-R) Greens candidate for the seat of Griffith Max Chandler-Mather, party leader Adam Bandt, Queensland senate candidate Penny Allman-Payne and Queensland Senator Larissa Waters take a selfie during the Greens national campaign launch in Brisbane, Australia, on May 16, 2022. Dan Peled/Getty Images

Mather noted that property developers already wield “far too much power and influence over government” and questioned why the body would be headed up by someone from a sector that has been a major beneficiary of Australia’s “broken housing system.”

“It’s bad enough that Labor and the Liberals continue to take political donations from property developers, now Labor is literally appointing a property developer to head [the] Affordability Council,” he said.

“Property developers are part of the problem and have fuelled the housing crisis in this country. We urgently need the government to set their interests aside and focus on building public and community housing, scrapping negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions, and strengthening renters’ rights.”

Interim Body Designed to Give Government Expert Advice

The federal government released its draft housing legislation for the new body on Dec. 19, with the consultation period open until Jan. 11.

However, the new body began working on Jan. 1 and is intended to operate until the council is established permanently in legislation.

The Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Julie Collins, said that the appointment of Lloyd-Hurwitz to the body was an important step in implementing the Albanese government’s ambitious housing agenda.

“We want to ensure our investments are underpinned by expert advice,” Collins said in a media release.

“That’s why we’re creating a National Housing Supply and Affordability Council, to deliver independent advice to Government on ways to increase housing supply and affordability,” she said.

A couple walks past a real estate agent's window advertising houses for sale and auction in Melbourne, Australia, on May 1, 2019. William West/AFP via Getty Images

“Ms Lloyd-Hurwitz’s experience in the sector will be invaluable as we continue working to ensure more Australians have a safe and affordable place to call home.”

Lloyd-Hurwitz will be joined by other experts in the sector, including Housing Choices Australia’s Managing Director and former Community Housing Industry Association Chair, Michael Lennon, and Prof. Rachel ViforJ, a prominent housing economist. Helen Waters Silvia, a specialist in homelessness services for women and families escaping domestic violence, Dr. Marcus Spiller, an urban economist and planner, and David O’Loughlin, the Urban Renewal Authority Director, will also join them on the council.

Peak Body Welcomes the Move

Meanwhile, the Property Council of Australia has welcomed the establishment of the body and the appointment of Lloyd-Hurwitz with Chief Executive Ken Morrison, saying the independent advice of the newly formed council will be critical in addressing the growing gaps in the housing sector’s supply and affordability rates.

“The interim Housing Supply and Affordability Council will ensure the government’s ambition to boost housing supply, and affordability is supported by expert independent advice,” Morrison said.

“In selecting a leader as well-regarded and experienced in creating housing supply as Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz, the Minister has demonstrated her serious intent to tackle one of the country’s most persistent public policy challenges,” he said.

“These nominations to the interim Council will enable the Federal Government to strengthen its role in addressing the need for affordable and social housing over the next few decades.”

Auctioneer Karen Harvey counts down a bid during an auction of a residential property in Hurlstone Park in Sydney, Australia, on May 8, 2021. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Morrison also noted that Australia needs all the new housing it can get.

“As countries such as the United States and the UK have demonstrated, with the right settings, build-to-rent housing could give Australians more choice in the housing market and become a key solution to the affordable housing equation,” he said.