2025-03-24
Background
The CLP Government’s public housing reforms will fast-track evictions for tenants with unpaid rent, property damage, or antisocial behaviour, while also barring long-term incarcerated tenants from retaining housing. With an eight to ten year waitlist, these policies risk exacerbating homelessness and driving up costs for Territorians by increasing reliance on emergency services and crisis accommodation.
Quotes attributable to Kat McNamara MLA - Member for Nightcliff
“The CLP is setting the Territory up for failure. Evicting vulnerable tenants instead of supporting them will fuel homelessness, overcrowding, and crime.”
“Housing someone in prison costs over $120,000 a year. Keeping them in stable public housing costs a fraction of that. This policy isn’t just cruel – it’s a financial disaster.”
“We need real solutions: stronger tenant support, more public housing, and a government that actually invests in long-term housing security. Instead, the CLP is full of bluster, passing laws that are all stick and no carrot. They’re setting us all up for failure.”
“Kicking people out of housing after prison will increase reoffending, not reduce it. How can we expect someone to reintegrate when they’re facing nearly a decade on the housing waitlist?”
“The solutions are clear: more public housing with more tenant support. The CLP is ignoring them, and we’ll all pay the price.”
“A fair housing system means supporting tenants to stay housed – whether that’s through financial counselling, noise mediation for disruptive neighbours, or case management for complex needs. The CLP is choosing punishment over investing in these solutions.”
“I agree that action is needed to protect public housing residents, however, this is not the right approach.”