Thursday, 14 November 2024

Western Victoria Region

Joe McCRACKEN (Western Victoria) (12:48): (1260) My question is to the Minister for Housing, and it is on behalf of my constituent Keith Moore of Wendouree. Keith is 82 years old and has paid taxes his entire life. Keith has contacted the department of housing on several occasions seeking to get into a home. He has not received any help at all. He has been forced into the private rental market. He spends almost 75 per cent of his pension on rent. If he did not pay rent privately, he would be homeless. He regularly goes without essentials. He needs to stay close to Wendouree because his medical team support that as well. Keith wrote to the Premier and did not even get an acknowledgement. So, Minister, I ask you to help Keith. Help him find a home – help him find a public home. There are hundreds of people just like Keith; there are over 5000 on the Central Highlands waiting list. Something has to be seriously wrong in Victoria if even a pensioner cannot get a house and it is so hard for the average person to be on the list.