National Shelter CEO, Karen Walsh, and John Engeler, National Shelter Chair, were in Canberra last week ahead of the federal election. They met with The Hon. Clare O’Neil MP, Minister for Housing and Homelessness, members of parliament and other key stakeholders to discuss national housing policy issues and solutions.  

Housing issues can only be addressed by coordinated action from all levels of government. But for far too long, policy responses to the housing crisis have been fragmented, inconsistent across jurisdictions, and lacking national leadership.  

This trip to Canberra was an opportunity for National Shelter to road test and workshop federal level policy priorities and ask with policy and decision makers.  

National Shelter will be releasing its election asks in the coming weeks. They will be centered on the key areas where Commonwealth leadership and support is needed to deliver better housing outcomes for lower income households; a legislated National Housing and Homelessness Plan, a long term, at scale supply pipeline of social and affordable housing, a better deal for renters, tax reforms to address the housing crisis and reduce inequality, and a national Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning framework to deliver additional affordable housing through State planning systems. 

(From left to right) John Engeler, National Shelter Chair, The Hon. Clare O’Neil MP, Minister for Housing and Homelessness, and Karen Walsh, National Shelter CEO.