Posted by Nsw Labor on August 11, 2014
NSW Labor has today called on the Baird Liberal Government to stop its heartless fire-sale of public housing in Millers Point following revelations that it edited a key report to downplay the potentially devastating health impacts – including death – that forced relocations may have on residents.
“The Liberals have selectively edited a social impact report to remove information about the negative health impacts – including potential death – that forced relocations will have on the elderly and frail residents who live in Millers Point,” Shadow Minister for Housing Sophie Cotsis said.
“The Liberals must abandon this heartless housing sell-off and allow elderly residents to continue living in their homes.”
Labor candidate for Sydney Edwina Lloyd condemned the Liberals’ cover-up of the potential harm that forced relocations will have on local residents
.
“The NSW Liberal Government’s forced relocation of elderly tenants from Millers Point is an international embarrassment,” Ms Lloyd said.
“Last month the plight of Millers Point residents was raised at the United Nations by Sydney lawyer Kim Boettcher from the Aged Rights Service.
“Today we have seen more evidence that the NSW Liberal Government is callously putting a short-term cash-grab ahead of the health and well-being of elderly residents.
“The Liberals are evicting tenants from the Sirius building, which was purpose built to provide public housing so people from Millers Point and the Rocks could continue to live in their community.
“The Liberal Government has betrayed these tenants, and Minister for Family and Community Services Gabrielle Upton should have the decency to meet with residents and hear their concerns.”
City of Sydney Labor Councillor Linda Scott added: “There is a housing affordability crisis in the inner-city and this sell off will remove a significant number of affordable housing dwellings from the City of Sydney forever.
"Under the Liberals' heartless sell-off, a vibrant community – many of whom have lived in Millers Point for generations – will be turfed-out and dispersed."
Ms Cotsis said the Government’s claim that the Millers Point proceeds would be reinvested could not be believed. She noted that under Mike Baird, the budget to build new housing has been cut in half compared with what Labor invested in its final year.
Last year, the NSW Auditor General found that the Liberal Government had delayed $85 million worth of maintenance work – contributing to a maintenance backlog that is now worth $330 million.[1]
“Since coming to office the Liberals have sold more public housing that they have built, and they have used the proceeds of sales to paper-over their budget cuts,” Ms Cotsis said.
“The most recent Annual Report of the Land and Housing Corporation shows the Liberals sold 1300 properties, but only built 500 new properties.
“There were no details about how the sale of Millers Point will be reinvested in this year’s State Budget, and during a recent Parliamentary Inquiry government officials could not provide any details on how the proceeds from the sale would be spent.
“The fact is that the Liberals do not have a long-term plan for social housing, even though it has been a year since the Auditor General recommended they develop one.
“The sale of Millers Point housing is just another short-sighted fire-sale of a public asset by the Liberals, and the price will be paid by of some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”
Ms Cotsis added that a public housing forum would be held next month focusing on the plight of elderly residents and women in housing:
Time: Midday, 6 September 2014
Location: Abraham Mott Hall, 15A Argyle Street, Millers Point
The forum will feature an expert panel including Sydney lawyer Kim Boettcher from the Aged Rights Service.
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