The Queensland government is under fire from the opposition for refusing to amend the eligibility criteria for social housing. Housing Minister Sam O’Connor faced tough questions in parliament regarding the existing rules, which state that single parents with two children must vacate their homes if they earn over $46,000 a year (around $700 per week, pre-tax). Former premier Steven Miles challenged O’Connor, asking how single mothers earning this amount should explain to their children why they are being forced to leave their homes.
In response, O’Connor defended the current policy, stating that he would not accept criticism from a party that allowed individuals with six-figure incomes to occupy social housing. This debate follows the government’s announcement that it would reinstate annual rental and eligibility checks for social housing tenants starting July 1. O’Connor accused the former Labor government of neglecting these checks for years, highlighting that they failed to ensure that tenants still qualified for social housing and let rent reviews lapse.
The housing department revealed examples of high-income households benefiting from reduced rent, including a couple earning over $200,000 annually paying less than $200 per week for a government-subsidised unit, and a young family with a $160,000 income renting for under $190 per week. Currently, rent in Queensland’s social housing is calculated at 25% of a household’s assessable income.
O’Connor confirmed that no changes would be made to the eligibility rules, with approximately 52,000 individuals on the housing register at present. Additionally, the government is considering providing incentives to tenants who might downsize their homes if they occupy properties larger than they require by two or more bedrooms.