Ministerial meetings

31 March 2020, by teleconference

Members representing the housing and homelessness sector were invited to a special meeting of the Ministerial Housing Council by teleconference on Tuesday, 31 March 2020. The Minister provided an update on Queensland’s response to COVID-19, including the work being undertaken to freeze evictions due to rent arrears for 6 months (from 29 March 2020) for Queensland residential tenants experiencing financial distress due to the impacts of COVID-19.

Members were informed of an initial $24.7M support package which will ensure that vulnerable Queenslanders get the services they need during this public health emergency. The package has been designed to assist those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness as a result of the pandemic - including women and children experiencing domestic and family violence, young people, people with disability, older people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  Additionally, the Department of Housing and Public Works has established four rapid housing response teams to respond to COVID-19, with a key focus on rough sleepers and people residing in congregate living arrangements such as large supported accommodation facilities and boarding houses.

Members agreed legislative clarity and consistent messaging would provide greater confidence to the rental and real estate sector and enable landlords, tenants and property owners to respond to individual cases assuredly.

Attendees:

• Real Estate Institute of Queensland
• Queensland Shelter
• Residential Tenancies Authority
• The Domestic and Family Violence Implementation Council
• Council on the Ageing Queensland
• Umpi Korumba Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Housing
• Queenslanders with Disability Network
• Tenants Queensland
• Queensland Council of Social Services

11 March 2020, by teleconference

A special meeting of the Ministerial Housing Council was convened by teleconference on Wednesday, 11 March 2020. The Minister provided an overview of the COVID-19 virus, noting that the virus can cause illnesses ranging from the common cold through to more severe conditions.  Members were advised that Queenslanders should obtain information on the virus directly from the Queensland Health website for accurate, up-to-date, advice. The Minister assured members that the Queensland Government is well placed to respond to an outbreak and had undertaken simulation scenario testing and whole of government planning.

The Minister advised that the Department of Housing and Public Works (DHPW) is planning for an impact on staff and contractors. Preparation activities include establishing an internal taskforce to coordinate planning and preparation, prioritising service delivery outcomes to ensure Queenslanders can access necessary supports and reviewing business continuity plans. Members were advised that DHPW is working to ensure that impacts to service delivery are mitigated as much as possible. The department is working with regulatory partners across aged care and manufactured housing to ensure key messages are shared.  Members were encouraged to work with their networks to put in place their own preparations for any impacts of COVID-19 on their staff and businesses, and to review business continuity plans.

Attendees:

• Real Estate Institute of Queensland
• Property Council of Australia Queensland Shelter
• The Services Union
• Association of Residents of Queensland Retirement Villages
• Black Community Housing Services Ltd
• The Domestic and Family Violence Implementation Council
• Strata Community Association
• Urban Development Institute of Australia
• Queensland University of Technology
• Council on the Ageing Queensland
• Umpi Korumba Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Housing
• Housing Industry Association Queensland
• Queenslanders with Disability Network
• Tenants Queensland
• Queensland Council of Social Services
• Residential Tenancies Authority

The Council noted tenants must comply with any rules or by-laws in managed communities, such as community title schemes or caravan parks, and must repair any damage to the rental property caused by their pet during the tenancy. Owners can claim against the rental bond for the costs to repair any damage caused by pets during the tenancy.

Consultation closes at 5pm, 28 December 2019. Members agreed to encourage their networks to provide feedback on proposed Stage 1 renting reforms through the Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement at qld.gov.au/rentinginqld.

The Ministerial Housing Council will reconvene in the first quarter of 2020.

Attendees

• Real Estate Institute of Queensland Queensland Shelter
• Residential Tenancies Authority
• Association of Residents of Queensland Retirement Villages Micah Projects
• The Domestic and Family Violence Implementation Council Council on the Ageing Queensland
• Umpi Korumba Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Housing Queenslanders with Disability Network
• Strata Community Association Queensland Queensland Council of Social Services Property Council of Australia
• Tenants Queensland

Attendees:

• Real Estate Institute of Queensland
• Residential Tenancies Authority
• Association of Residents of Queensland Retirement Villages
• The Domestic and Family Violence Implementation Council
• Griffith University
• Queensland Council of Social Services Strata Community Association (Qld)
• Council on the Ageing Queensland
• Umpi Korumba Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Housing
• Queenslanders with Disability Network
• Tenants Queensland
• Queensland Shelter
• Urban Development Institute of Australia (Qld)

Ministerial Housing Council Communique - 5 June 2019

On Wednesday 5 June 2019, the Honourable Mick de Brenni MP, Minister for Housing and Public Works, Minister for Digital Technology and Minister for Sport, reconvened the Ministerial Housing Council (the Council) for the second meeting of 2019.

The Council agreed to take a new approach to the Ministerial Housing Council meeting format to create an opportunity for member-led discussion on key housing priorities in Queensland. Queensland Shelter and the Queensland Council of Social Services were the first to lead a joint discussion. Priorities focussed on the pressure that the housing system is under in being able to provide stable, affordable and accessible housing. Members discussed the benefits that could be achieved through a national approach to housing priorities as well as a range of initiatives to increase the supply of affordable and accessible housing.

The Council noted the importance of dealing with affordable housing supply at all levels of government. Local Government planning instruments were identified as an area of examination for the Council with a sub-committee to engage across agencies in the Queensland Government and Local Government Association of Queensland.

Ms Paige Armstrong, Chief Executive Officer, Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) presented the findings of the Sub-committee on housing for people with disability, established following the last Ministerial Housing Council meeting. Recommendations focused on improving housing outcomes for people with disability across a range of settings, including social housing, the private market, and residential services. The Minister committed to establish a partnership with the disability sector to develop a way forward.

As the Queensland Housing Strategy 2017-2027 approaches the completion of its second year of operation, members were advised of the significant progress that has been achieved. For example, since commencement in June 2017, the Housing Construction Jobs Program has awarded contracts to commence 1100 new social housing dwellings, 387 of which have already been completed. By 30 June 2019, $129.5 million is expected to have been invested through the program. It is estimated that over 900 full time equivalent construction industry jobs will be supported through the program.

The Minister announced that he will soon be launching the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Action Plan 2019-2023: A Better Housing Future. Recognising that housing is fundamental to Closing the Gap, $67.5 million will be committed to respond to the unique housing experiences and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders.

The Council reiterated its preference to secure a new remote housing funding deal with the Federal Government. The Council calls on the newly formed Australian Government to provide certainty for funding for remote housing in Queensland to ensure the State can continue to meet housing needs and deliver the positive economic and employment benefits for these remote communities. The Council welcomes the appointment of Mr Ken Wyatt as Indigenous Affairs Minister and endorsed the Minister approaching Minister Wyatt in partnership with First Nations leaders.

The Ministerial Housing Council will reconvene in the third quarter of 2019.

Ministerial Housing Council Communique - 28 August 2018

The Honourable Mick de Brenni, Minister for Housing and Public Works, Minister for Digital Technology and Minister for Sport, reconvened the Ministerial Housing Council (the Council) on Tuesday 28 August 2018.

The Ministerial Housing Council endorses the enforcement of established standards to protect residents in residential services, noting that these residents are among the most vulnerable people in the community, and rejected the notion that unregistered residential services were appropriate.

The Council was given an update on major reforms and initiatives being undertaken through the Queensland Housing Strategy 2017-2027. The meeting also provided an opportunity for Council members to engage with key consultation processes being led by the Department of Housing and Public Works (the department).

This included the Queensland Sport and Active Recreation Strategy 2019-2029. The Council agreed that with its strong focus on improving whole of life outcomes, employment outcomes and creating inclusive communities, the principles and intent of this Strategy intersect well with the Queensland Housing Strategy 2017-2027.

The Queensland Housing Strategy 2017-2027 has now completed its first year of activity. The Council noted that the Housing Construction Jobs Program had exceeded its targets for the first year of delivery and significant achievements have been made in transforming service delivery as the department shifts towards a person-centred, holistic and integrated service approach.

The Council welcomed the implementation of Stage 1 Housing Legislation (Building Better Futures) Amendment Act 2017 (HLAA) amendments in the coming months. The Council was assured that implementation was progressing well, and members were invited to actively participate in further consultation processes.

The Council noted that the National Building Ministers’ Forum recently considered an options paper on accessible housing to progress future reform of construction codes to enable people with disability to have access to appropriate housing. The Accessible Housing Options Paper will be updated and released in September 2018 to inform a Regulatory Impact Assessment in early 2019.

The Renting in Queensland review is now underway, with an extensive consultation process to begin in the coming months. The Council was invited to contribute ideas on how members could get involved and amplify the consultation program to ensure Queenslanders can have their say on their renting experiences and how renting can be improved.

The Council also noted the status of intergovernmental discussions on the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement (NHHA) and the National Partnership on Remote Housing (NPRH). In particular, members noted ongoing uncertainty of funding under NPRH. The Council again calls on the Australian Government to provide certainty for funding for remote housing in Queensland to ensure the State can continue to meet housing needs and deliver the positive economic and employment benefits for these remote communities.

KPMG presented to members on the upcoming Affordable Housing Research Project. The project has been commissioned by the department, with expert oversight to be provided by the Housing and Homelessness Research Alliance. The research project will address the definition of affordable housing in the Queensland context and will outline options for more effective investment in the sector.

The Council will reconvene late in 2018.

Ministerial Housing Council Communique - 27 March 2018

The Honourable Mick de Brenni MP, Minister for Housing and Public Works, Minister for Digital Technology and Minister for Sport, reconvened the Ministerial Housing Council (the Council) on Friday, 27 March 2018.

Members were updated on the significant activity that has been undertaken since the release of the Queensland Housing Strategy 2017-2027.

This included the recent release of Partnering for impact to reduce homelessness in Queensland, a commitment to funding certainty and stability for the homelessness sector through the implementation of five-year funding agreements. A Queensland Homelessness Compact with the homelessness sector will be developed to jointly drive a shared vision to address homelessness in Queensland.

The Council welcomed the Queensland Parliament’s approval of the Housing Legislation (Building Better Futures) Amendment Bill in October 2017 and noted the range of activities being undertaken to implement associated changes to ensure a fair regulatory system for consumers and operators/landlords in Queensland.

The Grattan Institute presented to members on their recently released report Housing affordability: rebuilding the Australian dream, which includes recommendations to increase affordable housing, for consideration by Australian governments.

Members noted that the new Housing and Homelessness Research Alliance, a core commitment of the Queensland Housing Strategy, held its first meeting in March 2018. Members of the Alliance agreed to provide expert oversight on an affordable housing research project being commissioned by the Department of Housing and Public Works.

The Council also noted the status of inter-governmental discussions on the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement and the National Partnership on Remote Housing (NPRH). In particular, Members noted ongoing uncertainty of funding under the NPRH. The Council calls on the Commonwealth Government to provide certainty for funding for remote housing in Queensland to ensure we continue to meet housing needs and to ensure continuation of the construction program and the positive economic and employment benefits for these remote communities, noting existing commitments expire on 30 June 2018. The Council noted that discontinuation of Commonwealth funding will result in a significant reduction in the scale of housing and homelessness services in communities across the State.

The Council will reconvene in August 2018.

The Council noted the status of inter-governmental discussions on the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement and the National Partnership on Remote Housing (NPRH). In particular, members noted ongoing uncertainty of funding under NPRH. The Council calls on the Australian Government to provide certainty for funding for remote housing in Queensland to ensure we continue to meet housing needs and to ensure continuation of the construction program and the positive economic and employment benefits for these remote communities, noting existing commitments expire 30 June 2018.

The Council will reconvene early in 2018.

Ministerial Housing Council Communique - 26 April 2017

Queensland’s new Ministerial Housing Council (the Council) held its inaugural meeting in Brisbane on 26 April 2017, with members immediately identifying the ongoing threat to housing service delivery posed by uncertainty in funding.

The Honourable Mick de Brenni MP, Minister for Housing and Public Works and Minister for Sport, and the Council met to discuss and acknowledge the need for an increased supply of social and affordable housing in Queensland to meet population growth, current unmet demand and the diverse needs of the community.

Members welcomed the transformation in how the government does business with community housing providers and private developers to deliver new housing stock which is underway. The Better Neighbourhoods approach, initially being delivered in Logan, will leverage over 3,000 new homes by 2036 (110 in the next three years) through a precinct by precinct approach to development and neighbourhood revitalisation.

The Council is committed to continuing to engage with the Queensland Government about improving policy settings for affordable and accessible housing to support more Queenslanders being housed across the housing continuum.

The Council noted the lack of an agreed definition of affordable housing and criteria as a challenge in the supply of affordable housing properties and agreed the next meeting will consider a project proposal to frame further discussion.

In the context of future reform, members acknowledged the importance of delivering housing and homelessness services that are well integrated, provide genuine pathways for individuals towards independence, and which enable greater social and economic participation.

The Council noted the Queensland Government’s recent achievements through the first round of Dignity First Fund where numerous skilled, committed and passionate organisations are making a difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness.

The Council will reconvene ahead of the release of the 2017-18 Queensland State Budget.

States and Territories Ministers’ Meeting on Remote Housing Issues Communique - 19 May 2017

Today, as part of the Housing and Homelessness Ministers’ meeting in Adelaide, Housing Ministers from Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia met to discuss remote housing issues, including the funding provided through the National Partnership on Remote Housing (NPRH), due to expire on 30 June 2018.

Ministers are united in a call to the Australian Government for funding certainty beyond June 2018 to support better housing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The Federal Budget confirmed no funding for remote Indigenous housing from 2018-19. It is critical that Australian Government funding under NPRH must be continued and have allowances for cost increases and a growth in demand.

The National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing (NPARIH) and NPRH have delivered 3,272 new dwellings and significant upgrades to 7,350 dwellings nationally (as at 31 October 2015). However, more needs to be done to address housing pressures due to population growth and continued overcrowding.

Our priorities are to protect the achievements made under the NPARIH and NPRH, meet future need, and continue to respond to overcrowding. The employment outcomes delivered under the agreements are a vital contribution to communities through skills development and real jobs.

There is a need for sustained investment from all levels of government to build upon the strong foundations built through current agreements. Ministers made this clear in their contributions to the review commissioned by the Australian Government to provide advice on future arrangements.

Despite assurances that the report would be released in March this year, it has not been released.

We know that without ongoing investment and the dedication of a joint, long term agreement, we will not make in-roads into initial Closing the Gap targets for improved employment, education and health.

The current uncertainty around future funding arrangements to address housing need in remote Indigenous communities is unacceptable and jeopardising the future economic and social growth of our communities.

We ask the Australian Government to respond swiftly to our call for certainty and action to ensure the critical pipeline of construction and jobs is maintained and important work can commence to prepare land and infrastructure.

Ministers noted the 2017-18 Homelessness agreement will be expedited.

Ministers also discussed a number of specific policy areas including the Rent Deduction Scheme to sustain tenancies and Defibrillators in Retirement Villages.

Way Forward

Ministers agreed they would meet again in Tasmania by November 2017 and report further progress on the NHHA.

National Housing and Homelessness Agreement

Ministers discussed the development of the NHHA multilateral to date, which jurisdictions have been negotiating alongside Treasury colleagues.

Ministers discussed some of the critical issues around the agreement regarding scope, funding arrangements and performance measures. The Commonwealth Government provided an update on stakeholder information sessions and timelines to finalise the agreement.

Ministers noted that in order to ensure a timely resolution of the NHHA, negotiations between the States, Territories and the Commonwealth should include both the views of Ministers for Housing and Homelessness and Treasurers.

Ministers are all committed to the importance of a well- functioning social housing system, and will be providing comment on the new agreement to the Treasurer.

Keystart Home Loans

Western Australian Minister for Housing, Hon Peter Tinley AM MLA, presented on Keystart Home Loan products. Keystart has helped over 85,000 Western Australians access home ownership since it was established in 1989.

Way Forward

Ministers agreed a decision on a future meeting date would be withheld until the outcomes from the Treasurers’ Meeting in relation to the NHHA are known.

Housing Ministers will hold further discussions with the Commonwealth on the housing implications of addressing underage forced marriage.

Way Forward

Ministers agreed they would report further progress on housing and homelessness services and housing affordability later in 2016 through the COAG process.

COAG reforms and Affordable Housing

Ministers noted a briefing from the Commonwealth on the progress of the major reform tasks underway, and discussed the work of the Council on Federal Financial Relations’ Affordable Housing Working Group. The Group is now considering proposals for innovative financing and structural reform models to increase the provision of affordable private and social housing, and will engage with state and territory housing portfolios around viable options under consideration prior to the final report being handed down.

Ministers discussed a range of matters including the need to ensure an appropriate interface between homelessness and housing reform work, the need for a differentiated approach to addressing homelessness and housing in cities and in regional and remote areas, and the potential for innovative financing models to increase supply and diversity in social housing models to meet the needs of vulnerable groups including elderly people.

Disability and Housing

Ministers discussed the impacts of a significant anticipated increased demand on accessible, affordable and social housing from the full implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and agreed to work collaboratively with the National Disability Insurance Agency to develop accurate information and projections of the likely demand for social housing and affordable housing at full scheme and beyond.

Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments will consider future funding approaches and opportunities to increase the supply of accessible, affordable and social housing appropriate for people living with disability, including through the Affordable Housing Working Group.

Way Forward

Ministers concluded their meeting with a focus on the strategic and innovative initiatives their respective jurisdictions are adopting to respond to funding challenges and sustainability, and agreed on actions for further collaborative work to address reforms for housing and homelessness.

Ministers agreed they would meet again by November 2016 and report further progress on housing and homelessness services and housing affordability later in 2016 through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) process.

Fair Funding For Queensland Remote Housing Communique - 1 February 2018

The Commonwealth Government must urgently confirm its ongoing commitment to long-term funding for remote housing outcomes for Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, if it is serious about Closing the Gap in Indigenous disadvantage.

That is the united call of the Minister for Housing and Public Works, Minister for Digital Technology and Minister for Sport, Mayors of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Councils, the Local Government Association of Queensland and Q Shelter.

Housing is a critical building block and input to Closing the Gap. The Commonwealth’s apparent decision to cease funding for the National Partnership on Remote Housing (NPRH) will see housing standards in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities deteriorate, and overcrowding and homelessness skyrocket. It will have lasting impacts on Indigenous health, education and community safety outcomes. This decision will remove up to 850 local jobs and apprenticeships and be a loss to supplier businesses in regional urban centres. It will devastate Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The Commonwealth Government’s own independent report on the review of NPRH highlights Queensland’s achievements and recommends continued long-term Commonwealth funding to maintain houses and respond to overcrowding and growth.

Over the past 10 years, Queensland has reduced overcrowding in remote communities by almost half. We have delivered almost 1,150 homes, almost 1,500 refurbishments and supported maintenance for almost 4,300 houses. This program has helped build the capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Councils, who with Indigenous businesses now deliver over 80 percent of housing construction and repairs.

However, we are still playing catch up – these communities have not yet reached parity. We must protect the achievements already made, and continue to respond to overcrowding and future growth.

Queensland is committed to continuing our efforts. We have agreed to establish an oversight committee for future program delivery, to ensure full transparency and accountability, demonstrating our commitment to partnership and collaboration between the Queensland Government and local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Councils.

We demand the Commonwealth Government urgently commit to upholding its remote housing responsibilities, providing fair funding for Queensland and supporting the ongoing protection and advancement of some of Queensland’s most disadvantaged communities.

Closing the Gap is a responsibility of all levels of government. Queensland seeks a ten-year continuation of Commonwealth funding – in real terms, and at the same level as provided over the past ten years.

We also call on the Australian Government to include and adequately fund Cherbourg, Yarrabah and Torres Shire Council as a part of a new agreement. These disadvantaged communities face the same challenges as other remote communities but are not recognised under the current agreement, and are ready to engage in more housing projects supported by a rolling capital program from 2018.

Queensland’s priorities are to protect the achievements made under the NPARIH and NPRH, and meet future need.

Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are looking to capitalise on the opportunity for economic growth, social, community development and employment outcomes that are delivered under the agreements, which are a vital contribution to communities through skills development and real jobs.

To further strengthen Queensland’s performance, Mayors and the Queensland Government agreed to cut the time needed to approve new housing construction in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by 16 weeks, to jointly identify demand for housing in communities and how this is negotiated with the Australian Government, including a series of other priority actions.

There is a need for sustained investment from all levels of government to build upon the strong foundations built through current agreements.

The current uncertainty around future funding arrangements to address housing need in remote Indigenous communities is unacceptable and is jeopardising the future economic and social growth of our communities. Future funding certainty is needed to meet urgent housing need and address the significant consequences of overcrowding, including negative impacts on health, education and other social outcomes for our communities.

We ask the Australian Government to respond swiftly to our call for certainty and action to ensure the critical pipeline of construction and jobs is maintained and important work can commence to prepare land and infrastructure.