The release of the SGS Economics and Planning rental affordability report highlights once again how the Cook Labor Government has failed to provide any real solutions to the housing crisis.

Shadow Housing Minister Steve Martin said the affordability index was a stark demonstration that WA renters were doing it tougher than almost anywhere else in the country.

“Western Australian rental affordability plunged 10 percent– behind only Sydney – during an inflation and cost-of-living crisis and in a rental market with a 0.7 per cent REIWA rental vacancy rate,” he said. 

“The Cook Government’s response to this has been to create a team of bureaucrats and offer around just 270 Airbnb owners $10,000 to switch their short-term rentals to long-term.

“This is trying to put a Band-Aid on a gaping wound. It’s a clear demonstration the Labor Government has no will or capacity to tackle the crisis.” 

Mr Martin said Labor had overseen years of failing to act to increase housing supply. It had also shamefully neglected social housing for our most vulnerable. 

“Social housing continues to be a concern, with the number of homes for this most vulnerable cohort lower than when Labor first came to power seven years ago, despite a 200,000 Estimated Resident Population increase in Western Australia over that time.”

“Western Australians deserve better.”