More must be done to help

PROBABLY the most important issue facing Tasmania, and particularly our capital, is housing affordability — and the shockwaves it sends right through our community. As we reported last month, rents in Hobart are now the most expensive of any capital city (including Sydney) in terms of a ratio to income. And that’s if you can find one. Property managers tell us that most open homes for rentals are attracting upwards of 40 groups — with some even seeing 100 prospective tenants turn out. We have become victims of our own success, as Real Estate Institute of Tasmania president Mandy Welling told our property editor Jarrad Bevan on Tuesday.

This is all great if you own a place. You’re reaping the benefits of years of the best growth in the country. You have ridden the wave, with your net worth now hundreds of thousands of dollars more than it was five years ago — and you haven’t had to lift a finger.

But it’s a very different story if you’re not in the market, just as most of our most vulnerable are. And despite what appear the best intentions from Housing Minister Roger Jaensch, his shadow Labor MP Alison Standen is right when she points out very little has actually happened this year to address the housing affordability issues that continue to plague Hobart.

The result is more and more families — including many working families — are doing it seriously tough. As Ms Standen collated for her piece in Talking Point yesterday, there are issues everywhere. Charities are

PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER OTHERWISE HAD TO SEEK THE HELP OF CHARITIES ARE BEING FORCED TO DO SO

reporting a massive growth in Tasmanians seeking food assistance (an 18 per cent increase in people seeking Foodbank’s help, for example). One in five Tasmanians have been reported to be the victims of food insecurity. Pensioners are meanwhile being forced to now share their home or choose between paying bills or putting food on the table, according to Anglicare. For those with nowhere to go, the shelters that would normally be able to assist in these times of crisis are now full.

It shouldn’t be this way. This has not been Tasmania’s story. Yes, we have always had a group of people marginalised at the edges. But what is happening now is that people who have never otherwise had to seek the help of charities are being forced to do so. Traditionally, our lower average wages have been offset by a lower cost of living. But that is no longer the case. Things are way out of balance.

Why should the government care? Well, firstly because they should of course. But also because these issues will inevitably act as a handbrake on the growing economy the government so loves to spruik. People will have less to spend. More will have to seek welfare, and join public elective surgery waiting lists rather than paying their way in the private system. Also, how can we possible hope to make the case to, say, highly qualified nurses to come here anymore when the pitch now has to be to come here and we will pay you less and you will have to pay more for rent?

The solutions are not easy. And the market will eventually recalibrate. But that’s going to take time, and in the meantime Minister Jaensch and the entire State Cabinet needs to show more urgency in helping those doing it tough right now in our community. It must be their priority for 2020.

Responsibility for all editorial comment is taken by the Editor, Chris Jones, Level 1, 2 Salamanca Square, Hobart, TAS, 7000