Scott Morrison says comments he made about telling people struggling to pay rent to “buy a house” were taken out of context while outlining the measures hidden in the budget designed to support renters.
In the wake of Tuesday night’s budget that offered little in the way of direct rent relief but expanded places in the commonwealth’s Home Deposit Scheme, Mr Morrison suggested the way to solve rental affordability was by boosting rates of home ownership.
His comments sparked widespread criticism, culminating in his effort to clear the record on Thursday after a radio host said: “You’re copping a bit of flack for your comments about the lack of relief for renters in the budget, saying the best way to help struggling renters is to help them buy a house.”
“I didn’t say that actually,” Mr Morrison told Tasmania Talks radio.
Tuesday’s budget unveiled three key measures to help with the rapidly rising cost of living – halved fuel excise for six months, an additional $420 for low and middle income earners this financial year and a $250 payment for pensioners and other welfare recipients.
Mr Morrison told Tasmania Talks that the measures would help people pay their rent while also helping those saving for a house.
“We’ve got 300,000 people into their first home, that’s what I promised to do at the last election – I said we’re going to help more people buy their own home,” Mr Morrison said.
“I know it is hard to buy a xjmtzywhome, whether it’s in Tasmania or in Sydney or Melbourne or Perth or anywhere else – it’s really, really hard, but we have helped those who want to make that change be able to do that.”
Mr Morrison was asked by Today host Ally Langdon on Wednesday why the budget was being touted as a cost-of-living budget that would help all Australians despite not including anything to help people struggling to keep up with rising renting prices.
“(The) best way to support people who are renting a house is to help them buy a house. And over the last three years, we’ve got over 300,000 Australians directly in their own home and particularly single mums,” he said.
Langdon interjected, saying: “I’m not talking about home ownership here. I’m talking about rent relief.”
Mr Morrison responded: “I know, but that’s my point. People who are buying houses are renters.
“Ensuring that more renters can buy their own home and get the security of homeownership – this is one of the key focuses of this budget and was one of the key pledges I’ve delivered on since the last election.”
Mr Morrison’s comments garnered widespread criticism, including from vocal former Australian of the Year Grace Tame who tweeted: “If you can’t afford to rent a car, buy a luxury yacht.”
The Labor Party also jumped on Mr Morrison’s comments, with shadow assistant treasurer Stephen Jones calling the Prime Minister “out of touch”.
“No wonder Australians don’t trust a word he says,” Mr Jones said.
Opposition
Labor senator Jess Walsh also called out Mr Morrison’s “advice”: “Buy a house if you can’t afford to rent. Get another job if your wages are too low. More sage advice from the Prime Minister, whose government has helped Australians with neither.”
