Housing, rental availability and affordability and state taxation were on the agenda when shadow state treasurer Brad Rowswell visited Gippsland this week.
Mr Rowswell visited East Gippsland and then joined Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull and Member for Gippsland South Danny O’Brien at a housing and taxation forum in Sale.
Mr O’Brien said housing affordability, availability and supply were huge issues for Victorians at the moment and Gippsland was no different.
“It was great to have the alternative treasurer of the state come and listen to locals about their issues,” he said.
“We organised a meeting of local real estate agents, property managers and others in the property sector to hear feedback on the issues affecting them and local housing.
“There’s no doubt land tax and proposed new minimum rental standards are having a big impact, with local agents reporting that many rental providers are selling up and getting out, reducing the availability of rental stock.
“We also heard that Labor Government taxes, including those such as the windfall gains tax, are making it more expensive for developers to build new homes in Gippsland.”
Mr Rowswell said it was a similar story across the state.
“It was great to be in Gippsland with Tim and Danny and to be listening to local people on the issues that are affecting them,” he said.
“We know Labor can’t manage money and it’s our housing sector that is particularly suffering through multiple new taxes and charges on property.
“The views that I’ve heard this week will help inform the policies we take to the next election as we seek to rebuild Victoria from the financial mess the Labor Party has made.”
Mr O’Brien and Mr Rowswell also met with local businesses and employees, including Covino Farms at Longford, one of the nation’s biggest salad producers.
Shadow treasurer Brad Rowswell joined Member for Gippsland South Danny O’Brien at Covino Farms at Longford with Steve and Peter Covino.Photos: Contributed
Shadow treasurer Brad Rowswell joined Member for Gippsland South Danny O’Brien at Covino Farms at Longford.
