• Estimates reveal sale of social homes an “expectation” in the LNP’s first Budget
• No directive from David Crisafulli’s Housing Minister to department to continue previous pause on sell-off

Queensland Labor has slammed the LNP Government for quietly restarting the sale of desperately-needed social homes, as housing pressures continue to grow under David Crisafulli’s watch.

In stunning revelations during Budget Estimates, it was confirmed the sell-off is back on with the Director-General admitting the Budget includes an expectation of sales, and that no directive was given to continue the previous pause on selling social homes.

It comes as the LNP cancel nearly 1,000 homes and leave thousands more gathering dust waiting for approvals.

The Estimates session also saw the LNP admit there’s no data to track their ‘signature’ policy of allowing first-home buyers to rent out rooms.

The LNP  refused to acknowledge the harm caused by their changes to the immediate housing response guidelines that is stopping Queenslanders experiencing homelessness from getting into emergency accommodation. 

Shadow Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said at a time when more Queenslanders than ever are sleeping rough, the LNP’s answer is to sell the very homes that could shelter them.

While Labor backs more public homes and backs renters, the LNP is auctioning off the roof over people’s heads.

Quotes attributable to Shadow Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon:

“While Queenslanders are sleeping on the streets, the LNP’s only plan is to put a ‘For Sale’ sign on social housing.

“This is the same tired LNP playbook: slash, privatise, and walk away.

“Premier Crisafulli promised change, but Queenslanders are seeing more of the same LNP neglect that left our public housing system in ruins last time they were in power.

“David Crisafulli’s Housing Minister isn’t building hope, he’s cashing in one sale at a time.”