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Opposition acknowledges the impact of NSW housing affordability crisis on police
14 March 2011
REINSW has welcomed the acknowledgement by the NSW Opposition of the impact of the housing affordability crisis on the state’s frontline workers, which is forcing many to travel long distances between home and work.
Shadow Police Minister Mike Gallacher today told Sydney radio that the high cost of housing was making it “very difficult” for essential workers, particularly police.
“We have large numbers of our police, particularly, having to commute every day from the Central Coast, Illawarra and far western suburbs of Sydney. They’ve got to travel long distances to get into town and it makes it very difficult for them, it really does” – Mike Gallacher
“REINSW welcomes the Shadow Police Minister’s comments and his recognition of the impact the housing affordability crisis is having on not just police, but all essential workers,” said REINSW President Wayne Stewart.
“We have been calling on all the major parties in the lead up to the State Election to detail their plans to address the three key accommodation issues facing NSW voters, namely:
- Housing affordability
- Housing availability
- Rental accommodation crisis
“Our nurses, fire brigade officers, teachers, police and ambulance officers are just some of the frontline workers we rely upon, yet the rental crisis is now so bad that we risk squeezing them out of our cities.
“Without action, NSW faces the very real prospect of police, fire brigade officers, nurses, teachers and other essential workers abandoning the state on economic grounds.
“Housing affordability and availability, be it ownership or renting, is front and centre as a key issue in the NSW state election.
“REINSW welcomes today’s acknowledgement of the housing affordability crisis by the Shadow Police Minister as an important step.
“What is needed now from his party and the Keneally Government is a comprehensive plan to avert an accommodation crisis for frontline workers that voters can make their own judgment on at the ballot box,” said Mr Stewart.
Please direct media enquiries to Julian Brophy on 0408 276 749
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