Tuesday, 1 April 2025

Ministers statements: planning policy

Sonya KILKENNY (Carrum – Attorney-General, Minister for Planning) (14:28): Whether it is planning for more homes close to train stations and tram stops, introducing housing targets or more homes, including more affordable homes, through the development facilitation program, the Allan Labor government is getting on with the job. We will continue to say yes to more homes, like 87 more affordable homes in Springvale, right near Springvale station, and 61 homes in Brunswick near trains and tram stops. These are fantastic locations, and it just makes sense to build more homes there.

Just today I received an email from Aidan. He told me he has lived for many years in share accommodation in Richmond and is very concerned about housing affordability. He said:

The work you do via the Activity Centre housing reforms is fantastic … These reforms will make a significant contribution to improving housing choice and diversity for people of all ages in a part of Melbourne that people love to live …

… Yarra –

local government area –

is already wonderful to live in, and allowing more homes via this Activity Centre program will enable more people to benefit … which is something I can’t wait to experience. It will offer more wonderful things to do, eat, people to visit and experiences to enjoy close to home.

Thank you, Aidan. We absolutely agree with you. Whether it is through the train and tram activity centre program, Plan for Victoria, the townhouse code or the Suburban Rail Loop – Australia’s biggest housing project – we are getting on with building more homes and more opportunities for Victorians.

It is April Fools’ Day, and unfortunately we have all been victim to one long, cruel joke from those opposite. They say they support more homes, but in truth they just try to block them in Malvern, in Hawthorn, in Brighton and in Kew. Most recently the member for Polwarth blocked social housing in his own electorate.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Eildon can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Eildon withdrew from chamber.

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, ministers statements are not an opportunity to attack the opposition. She might want to look in Carrum.

Mary-Anne Thomas: On the point of order, Speaker, the minister on her feet was only comparing and contrasting this government’s action on housing with the inaction of those on the other side. I ask that you rule the point of order out of order.

The SPEAKER: I remind the minister that it is inappropriate to attack the opposition in her ministers statement.

Sonya KILKENNY: Building homes for Victorians is no joke. We know the opportunity that comes with a new home, and we will get on with building more of them.