Sanctus — Secretary of State for Infrastructure Amanda Thomas has found herself at odds with several state governments over plans to accelerate social housing construction, with premiers from opposition parties accusing the federal government of attempting to dictate housing policy, an area they claim is wholly reserved for the states. Thomas, who took over Infrastructure following the DLP election victory in February, has proposed a new federal funding arrangement which would provide additional money for social housing developments in states that agree to meet annual construction targets. The Department of Infrastructure wants participating states to commit to increasing the number of publicly supported homes completed each year, with funding linked to their progress.
The proposals have met resistance from Andrew Warner, the Conservative Premier of Novum Aeternum, and Paul Durbin, his counterpart in Novum Limium. Both have questioned the conditions attached to the funding, arguing that state governments are better placed to determine where housing is needed and how developments should proceed. Thomas, however, has made housing a priority since taking office in March, and is understood to be frustrated by what she sees as an unwillingness among some state governments to commit to meaningful construction targets. While the federal government cannot simply order states to build more homes, the proposed funding arrangements would give Government Manor considerable influence over their housing programmes.
To add to the Thomas’ difficulties, the disagreement is not entirely along party lines. Brianna Priestly, the Democratic Left Premier of Galvium, has also raised concerns about the proposed timetable, with her government seeking greater flexibility to account for differences in planning approvals, construction capacity, and existing housing commitments. That is potentially more awkward for Thomas than the objections from conservative premiers, particularly if other DLP Premiers are thinking along the same lines.
For the federal government, the proposals are also a test of how far federal spending can be used to influence policy in the states. Housing shortages and rising rents have become increasingly difficult for governments at every level to ignore, but agreeing that more homes are needed has proved considerably easier than agreeing who should pay for them, where they should be built, and who should set the targets. Discussions between the Department of Infrastructure and state officials are expected to continue over the coming weeks, with Thomas hoping to secure agreements before the next round of federal infrastructure funding is finalised.
JOEY SESSIONS, Political Editor
