Jaensch drops in on tent city
SEVENTEEN days after being sworn in, new Housing Minister Roger Jaensch has visited the Hobart Showground “tent city”.
Pressure had been mounting on Mr Jaensch to meet the showground’s residents after he failed to visit for more than a fortnight and said he had no plans to do so.
Mr Jaensch declined to comment to the Mercury as he left the site, but the visit was welcomed by residents and Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania chief executive Scott Gadd.
“We’re pleased the minister did come today, it’s important that he’s actually been out there and listened to people and got a bit more of an understanding about some of the various issues they’re facing,” Mr Gadd said.
“They felt like they were heard, he didn’t offer any real solutions but I don’t think anyone expected him to, being so early into his role. They threw a lot at him, so it was probably a lot for him to take in.”
Both Greens leader Cassy O’Connor and Labor housing spokesman Josh Willie have visited in recent days.
They had called for Mr Jaensch to visit after he was sworn in as Housing Minister 17 days ago.
Independent Denison MHR Andrew Wilkie also visited yesterday.
Mr Willie said Mr Jaensch’s decision not to visit the showgrounds earlier lacked empathy.
“Mr Jaensch is four weeks late in reluctantly visiting the showgrounds while he ignored what was clear to all Tasmanians — families are living in tents as winter approaches,” Mr Willie said.
“Now that he has seen firsthand that people are in desperate need, he needs to come up with more workable solutions and demonstrate genuine engagement and commitment.”
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said it was about time Mr Jaensch visited.
“We hope it sharpens his mind to the urgency of the problem,” she said.
In a media release, Mr Jaensch said the Government had made progress on addressing the housing shortage and was hard at work implementing outcomes from the recent housing summit.
“The Liberal Government has a strong plan to overcome the latest challenges and is fully committed to actioning the solutions as a matter of priority,” he said.