8 February 2024
Housing Still Up in Air as Defence Troops Arrival Date Looms
The Townsville community continues to be left in the dark over how Defence plans to house the 500-plus troops and their families who are set to call the regional city home as early as next year.
Shadow Assistant Minister for Defence and Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson put forward questions in October 2023’s senate estimates to Defence Housing Australia (DHA) in relation to the Albanese Labor Government’s Defence restructure announcement.
In answers to these questions recently submitted by DHA, it was unable to confirm how many additional houses would be required and how it intended on acquiring these homes.
It even admitted to being aware of the announcement before it was made.
Mr Thompson said the responses were a reflection on the lack of planning and foresight of the Minister responsible.
“It is clear that Labor’s Assistant Minister for Defence doesn’t have a plan to house these up to 1200 new residents in a market that is already incredibly tight as it is,” he said.
“This Defence restructure announcement was first made in September of last year. Five months on and this Albanese Labor Government cannot point to a single extra home purchased or piece of land acquired to house our troops.
“There are hectares of land owned by developers around Townsville with DAs, ready to be built on tomorrow. In a tight market, DHA should be buying land, and going back to building.
“The Minister can’t simply hide behind bureaucratic spin from his Department. It doesn’t take a genius to realise more homes will be needed, and soon. So how is he going to achieve that?”
Mr Thompson said members who’d posted to Townsville this year were already in temporary accommodation without housing available.
“The Government is aware that Townsville is in a housing crisis. Members who’ve just arrived here have told me they’ll be spending up to six weeks with their families in a cramped hotel room, waiting for homes to become available,” he said.
“With 500 troops and their families on their way, my message to the Minister hasn’t changed: get a plan.”
ENDS