HON ANDREW HASTIE MP
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CANNING
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE INDUSTRY
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL

29 April 2024

Member for Canning Andrew Hastie MP has warned that the housing crisis in WA is having a harsh impact on residents in his electorate of Canning.

The 2024 Anglicare WA Rental Affordability Snapshot released last week, has laid bare the reality of the housing market in Western Australia. Over the span of just one year, the median rental price has skyrocketed by 16% to reach $650 – presenting a dire challenge for many.

Mr Hastie said that renters in Canning have experienced their highest increase since 2009.

Rental prices in the four suburbs home to the highest number of renters in Canning – Mandurah, Coodanup, Silver Sands and Dudley Park – have surged by 13.1%, 16.7%, 15.3% and 17.8% respectively in the last year, according to Domain.

For those reliant on income support, the report paints a shocking picture: there is not a single property available in WA for JobSeeker recipients, and less than 1% of properties are affordable for a single person on minimum wage.

Mr Hastie said the findings of the report, while not surprising, are alarming.

“I am constantly hearing from community outreach workers, real estate representatives and local residents who are trying to secure stable housing. It is either unaffordable or unavailable.”

Following a community forum in June last year, Mr Hastie said at the time: “people are hurting—it’s winter and we have families, we have children in caravan parks and tents. We have people in homes, but they can’t afford to turn on the heating”.

“The fact that there is not a single property in Western Australia that is affordable for someone on the JobSeeker payment – is seriously troubling,” Mr Hastie said.

“The Albanese and Cook Labor budgets are due to be released in the coming weeks, and I want to see these Labor governments working overtime to ensure that Australians have a roof over their head.”