Robert McClelland appointed Minister for Housing and Homelessness
Barton MP Robert McClelland has been appointed the new Minister for Housing and Homelessness in the Gillard government.
The combined postings were previously held by the Federal Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness, Senator Mark Arbib, and Jenny Macklin as Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
According to lobby group Australians for Affordable Housing campaign manager Sarah Toohey, the “inclusion of a single housing minister in the federal cabinet, responsible for all Commonwealth housing policies and programs, is something we have been advocating for and we’re hopeful that this demonstrates that the Gillard government is making housing affordability in Australia one of its top priorities”.
The Housing Industry Association has welcomed the appointment.
“The Gillard government has today noted the challenge that housing affordability (or the lack thereof) presents and has highlighted its commitment to focussing on this issue,” says HIA managing director Shane Goodwin.
“Creating a ministry which includes ‘under one roof’ all facets of housing supply across the spectrum of public and social housing, together with private owner-occupier and rental stock is a crucial step towards delivering a successful package of housing supply policy reform and implementation is achieved,” Goodwin says.
