Amelia Hamer, a Liberal party candidate for the Kooyong seat in Victoria, has faced backlash after revealing she owns two properties in Canberra and London, despite previously presenting herself as a “renter.” This contradiction has led to accusations of deception, particularly from her political rival, Independent MP Dr Monique Ryan, who expressed disappointment at Hamer’s portrayal of herself as a millennial renter while owning investment properties.
In a June interview on the Today Show, Hamer claimed that she was a renter, and she was described as a “renter wanting to get into the housing market” in a profile published by the Australian Financial Review last year. However, she later clarified that her Canberra apartment is currently being rented out, while she herself is renting a place in Hawthorn since returning to Melbourne. Hamer described how she took out mortgages on the properties while living and working overseas.
Hamer’s London flat, valued at approximately $1.46 million, had previously been listed for rent at around $3,000 per month in 2020, although it’s unclear if it is currently tenanted. Critics argue that Hamer’s statements misled the voters, as she failed to disclose her status as a property owner while advocating for the plight of renters.
On her campaign website, Hamer positions herself as a representative who aims to address the cost of living and support local businesses, asserting the importance of helping locals achieve home ownership. Ryan, who won the Kooyong seat in 2022, has challenged Hamer’s integrity, stating that the issue lies not in property ownership but in Hamer’s failure to be transparent about her financial status.
The controversy highlights the tension surrounding the housing market in Australia, where many young people struggle with affordability while those in power may not fully grasp their circumstances. Hamer’s dual identity as a property owner and self-identified renter raises questions about authenticity in political representation and how candidates relate to the everyday challenges faced by constituents.