Are we overthinking? Let’s just do it
IS it possible we overthink the big issues of our community? We know we need more jobs and more homes to improve productivity and living standards for all Tasmanians.
I believe the problems of jobs, housing and productivity are connected, and so are the solutions!
If we build more homes we create a large productivity increase because more jobs are created for fence builders, lighting providers, carpet layers, furniture suppliers, and removalists. The list is endless.
By offering shelter to more Tasmanians, we also provide the stability we know is crucial to gaining and maintaining employment.
More people in work creates more money for people to spend because it creates more confidence. Confidence provides more jobs for baristas, waiters, gardeners and people working in retail.
More homes create opportunity for more people to become homeowners and increases the supply of rental properties.
This allows people to enjoy housing stability and increases their capacity to work.
Shelter is a human right and it is probably the most important part of fixing many of our social ills.
Those without shelter are more likely to be stressed in a way that gives a completely different meaning to the everyday middle class meaning of feeling ‘stressed’.
People who are without stable and secure housing are more likely to become physically ill. Often they are unable to feed themselves or their families nutritious food.
They are less likely to get their children to school each day. On top of the stress of homelessness, they are often recovering from significant trauma histories and experiencing mental health, alcohol and drug issues.
The more people we fail to provide shelter for (whether it be through social or affordable housing), the more we fail society in general.
Our already bursting health and justice systems are pushed beyond their limits by the lack of investment in prevention and early intervention to help people fulfil their potential.
Expensive police, ambulance and emergency services resources are consumed daily fighting crime, violence and arson, that might otherwise be minimised in a more supportive and secure society.
With house prices soaring, rents out of reach from the traditional rental class and more people homeless we cannot simply stand by and hope the market will resolve itself.
The current situation is a classic example of the perfect storm: market failure, the disruption of Airbnb, population growth and a long history of multiple governments’ underinvestment in social housing.
The need for jobs for people in Clark is now at risk of harming future generations because once you cross Creek Road from Hobart City to Glenorchy this unemployment rate rises from 3.9 per cent to 9.9 per cent! The story is worse for young people with an unemployment rate of 16.9 per cent in the Hobart region (which includes Glenorchy).
So how effective would it be to connect people to jobs in the construction industry, which has a need to expand its capacity?
We could upskill people of all ages to work in areas of greatest need and contribute to collectively solving the wicked problems of our time.
Nursing degrees are now able to be gained by a two-year expedited course structure.
Could plastering, painting and bricklaying certificates also be gained in a similar time frame?
The Government’s Targeted Apprentice and Trainee Grant for Small Business program offers small business owners $5000 to take on new apprentices or trainees.
I am sure builders would be encouraged to take on more apprentices through this program, if apprentices could be more productive in half the time.
Perhaps some of these skills could be taught in non-traditional school hours at some of our high schools and colleges, which lie idle after school hours.
I managed to get my Masters of Business Administration (MBA) by attending university on Saturdays. Without the ability to do the course out of business hours, I would not have been able to commit to the degree.
It is possible many people who are in jobs that simply pay the bills would like to upskill by doing a trade course after hours.
Perhaps a big, bold, brave and accountable government could offer to trial an out-of-hours upskill program? One thing is for certain, failure to think differently only produces the same outcomes.
How are we going to pay for this? I have been concerned at our government doggedly pursuing a surplus at the expense of building housing and health infrastructure.
A government can be thought of as a giant not-for-profit. How would you feel if the not-for-profit you support just kept its money in the bank and did not spend it on the purposes you were supporting?
Government can borrow at record low interest rates of about 1.5 per cent.
After the war era, the federal government invested in millions of houses and created a massive construction and jobs boom.
Our government could commit to having this type of healthy borrowing to fund housing and health infrastructure, which lasts about 50 years, by funding it over 20 years so as not to leave debt for the next generation. Let’s borrow to build more homes now so we have people housed and jobs created. In addition to jobs and homes, the main benefit would be that we are not starving the cash flow that pays nurses and doctors.
TasCOSS suggests that for every $1 spent on housing, Tasmania saves $2-$13 on health and justice.
A change of thinking will see more people housed and more people employed. The health system can breathe, emergency services are not fighting a losing battle, productivity improves and we all equitably enjoy the wonderful Tasmanian lifestyle.
This scenario is dependent on tripartisan support, because scoring cheap political shots helps no one and prevents government from achieving great things whilst they fight petty battles.
Once you cross Creek Road from Hobart City to Glenorchy this unemployment rate rises from 3.9 per cent to 9.9 per cent