Parliament Backs Builders Not Liberal Blockers
The Parliament today voted against the motion put forward by the Liberal Party that would have blocked thousands of homes from being built close to public transport and made it harder to build townhouses across the state.
If the motion had passed, it would have been the largest planning revocation in Victoria’s history – delaying housing for those struggling to break into the market and shutting out young people and families from living near the things that matter – jobs, schools, services, and loved ones.
Australia is in a housing crisis and the solution is to build more homes – that’s why the Allan Labor Government has introduced bold planning reforms to give more Victorians the opportunity to live close to public transport, jobs, services and their loved ones.
The Train and Tram Activity Centre program alone will help deliver more than 300,000 homes in well-connected suburbs – many that have been locked up for far too long.
The Townhouse and Low-Rise Code is making it easier for industry to get on and build townhouses and low-rise apartments, instead of being subject to 79 different council planning regulations.
Both of these reforms were put at risk by the Liberal Party today – however Parliament voted with the builders, not the blockers.
On the same day as this vote, the Labor Government announced the off-the-plan townhouses, apartments, and units tax concession will be extended for another 12 months.
This concession is all about making it faster and cheaper for industry to build new homes that young people can buy or rent.
As stated by Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny
“Our focus should be on building homes, not blocking them. But while Victorians struggle to find a home – Liberal members of this Parliament have been scheming to block them from being built.”
“I’ve got a simple message for the blockers: Victorians have had enough – get on board or get out of the way.”
As stated by Minister for Housing and Building Harriet Shing
“Yet again the Liberals have done their best to block and delay the delivery of more housing for Victorians.”
“But we’re continuing the long-term work that’s needed to give young Victorians the same opportunities their parents had – to buy or rent an affordable home close to where they grew up, in communities that are connected to jobs, public transport, healthcare and education.”
https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-05/250514-Parliament-Backs-Builders-Not-Liberal-Blockers.pdf