Source : Perth Now news
The three biggest players in a much-anticipated state election have outlined vastly different solutions to fixing the housing crisis.
Labor, Liberal and One Nation representatives locked horns in an hour-long housing policy debate at Crown Melbourne on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the November state election.
In front of frustrated developers and industry investors, Victorian Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny announced the expansion of the Labor government’s 10-day planning permit process.
Under the change, developments with as many as four homes on a block – up from the previous limit of two – will have applications assessed in 10 business days with no ability for council to object.
The policy drew applause from a lone member of the audience at the Australian Property Developers Association event.
“It’s a small step but it is going to make a difference,” Ms Kilkenny said.
Salta Property managing director Sam Tarascio earlier said Victoria was suffering from a lack of developer confidence due to successive policy changes.
“The number of times I hear the anywhere but Victoria label when I talk to capital is quite depressing,” he said.
Opposition housing spokesman David Southwick took Labor to task for not keeping pace with a target set in 2023 to build 800,000 homes a year over a decade.
Ms Kilkenny conceded 55,000 new homes were completed in 2025 but hailed it as the highest number recorded anywhere in the country.
Mr Southwick reiterated coalition policies to progressively increase Victoria’s land tax threshold to $300,000 and scrap a Labor target for 70 per cent of new homes to be built in established areas.
“It’s important for the market to dictate that, not a government,” the deputy Liberal leader said.
Along with reviewing all decisions around “blue, red, black and green tape”, One Nation’s Victorian leader Warren Pickering said his party would roll back windfall gains and land taxes if able to form government.
“I’d say (to) around that same threshold, (for land tax) back up to $300,000, as the Liberals,” he said.
“However, you can trust us to actually get it done.”
The housing hullabaloo came as Premier Ben Carroll sought to divert blame after scrapping a taxpayer-funded statue of former Labor leader Daniel Andrews.
Mr Andrews was set to be immortalised at a cost of $134,000 under a policy introduced by former Liberal premier Jeff Kennett to honour premiers who serve more than 3000 days in office.
Mr Carroll confirmed 50 per cent of the contract had been paid and described the Kennett-era policy as a “stupid waste of money”.
“In the Labor party, our statues are fixing up our roads, building better hospitals and better schools,” he told reporters while pledging $270 million to upgrade a road at Epping in Melbourne’s north.
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson, meanwhile, visited Geelong’s Waurn Ponds to pitch more regional V/Line train capacity as part of a $1.7 billion plan to buy 25 hybrid-electric trains for the Melton and Wyndham Vale lines.
