Independent Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines has welcomed the Coalition’s recent housing policy announcement, saying it means both the major parties now have positions that resemble the policies she has pushed for more than two years.

Over the weekend the opposition announced if it won at the next election it would legislate a $5 billion fund to build critical enabling infrastructure to open up new land for housing.

“The cost of housing is causing significant stress on households in Indi, whether they are paying their mortgage or rent – and part of the reason for that is that we don’t have enough housing,” Dr Haines said.

“A major barrier to opening up new land for housing is the enabling infrastructure and amenities, sewerage and water connections, roads and footpaths, electricity poles. It’s not shiny, but it’s critically important.

“That’s why before the last election in 2022 I said we needed a dedicated regional housing infrastructure fund for exactly these things. Now, more than two years later, it’s great to hear the Coalition is finally listening.”

Dr Haines took her case for dedicated regional infrastructure spending to the Prime Minister in 2023, presenting a proposal for a dedicated Regional Housing Infrastructure Fund to invest in critical enabling infrastructure for regional housing developments. The following week the government announced its new Housing Support Program, which will fund such infrastructure.

Almost $1.5 million has already been delivered for two projects in Indi from that fund in Wodonga and Alexandra.

“It is clear that as an Independent, listening to the needs in our region here in Indi and coming up with solutions, that we can influence the policies of the major parties and the actions of government.

“While some might be late to the party, so to speak, I’m pleased we are starting to see shared focus on addressing the enabling-infrastructure barrier to housing supply.”

Dr Haines has worked consistently on housing across this term of Parliament, pushing for regional, rural and remote communities to be treated fairly and receive their share of housing funding.

“Unfortunately, while the major parties now understand the need to fund this infrastructure, they have failed to make significant commitments to regional, rural and remote Australia. That is what I am working for as a regional Independent representative.”

“The Labor Government’s multi-billion dollar housing announcements, like the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund, fail to assure regional Australia that they will receive their fair share.

Dr Haines has introduced her own legislation and moved amendments to government legislation to ensure regional Australia gets its fair share of housing funding.

“In 2023 I introduced my Unlocking Regional Housing Bill to guarantee 30% of housing funding goes to the regions, where a third of the population lives.

“My bill would also make it easier for local governments and utilities providers to unlock new housing supply for this enabling infrastructure.”

Dr Haines said she would continue to push the major parties to commit to dedicated housing funding for regional and rural Australia ahead of the election.

“It’s great the major parties have now both finally cottoned on to this issue, but now we need to make sure the policies they implement actually serve regional Australia, not just the major cities.

“Regional Australia experiences the housing crisis differently to the cities and I hear every day from people in Indi who are struggling with the cost of rent, their mortgage or finding somewhere to live.”

Dr Haines’ Unlocking Regional Housing Bill 2023 is here.  

Dr Haines’ work on regional housing is here. 

ENDS