Community Independent candidate for Gilmore, Kate Dezarnaulds, has criticised the recent housing policy announcements from both major parties, arguing that they fail to address the full scale of Australia’s housing crisis—particularly for renters and essential workers.
In response to campaign launch promises from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, which focused almost exclusively on boosting homeownership through tax cuts, superannuation access, and deposit guarantees, Dezarnaulds called for a more inclusive and regionally responsive approach.
“I’m thrilled housing is finally on the national agenda—this is what we’ve been calling for since the start of the campaign,” Dezarnaulds said. “But the only thing that will drastically increase supply is backing low-cost, easy-to-deliver housing. Where in these policies is the support for modular homes? For tiny homes? For the people already building smart, community-driven solutions right here on the South Coast?”
“We’re in the middle of the worst housing affordability crisis in a generation,” Dezarnaulds said. “Yet both major parties continue to pour fuel on the fire with demand-side policies that will inflate prices further—while leaving renters and regional communities behind.”
As someone who has spent years working at the intersection of innovation, social enterprise, and community-led solutions, Dezarnaulds is calling for policies that recognise housing as a human right, not just a market commodity.
“In regions like Gilmore, where we desperately need nurses, teachers, police and ambos, frontline workers simply cannot afford to live in the communities they serve,” she said. “This is not just a housing crisis. It’s a workforce crisis. It’s an economic productivity crisis. And it’s a social cohesion crisis.”
Local tiny house manufacturer Rick Smith says governments are overlooking proven, practical solutions already being built in regional communities like the South Coast.
“People are running out of options,” said Rick Smith, founder of Havenwood Tiny Homes. “We’re building high-quality, climate-smart homes for young people, essential workers, and older women with nowhere else to go—like a local woman we built for after her husband passed away. If politicians were serious about affordable housing, they’d be talking to people like us. What we’re doing is faster, more affordable, and better for the environment—but red tape and outdated thinking keep getting in the way.”
Kate Dezarnaulds’ Housing Policy Priorities
Kate is advocating for evidence-based, community-driven solutions that move beyond the binary of renting versus home ownership:
- Affordable Rental Housing: Increase federal investment in long-term rental supply via community housing providers, supported by incentives and innovative financing models.
- Build-to-Rent and Mixed-Income Housing: Support large-scale, professionally managed rental developments that offer long-term homes for people on a range of incomes. This model helps improve housing quality, stability, and affordability—especially in regions where rental options are limited.
- Essential Worker Housing Programs: Establish targeted accommodation schemes to help attract and retain critical workers in regional areas like the South Coast.
- Shared Equity and Public-Private Partnerships: Create more accessible home ownership pathways through flexible, collaborative financing models.
- Innovative and Sustainable Housing Solutions: Promote modular, tiny, and adaptable homes that are climate-smart, energy-efficient, and suitable for regional environments.
- Tax reform. It’s fair to support ‘mum and dad’ investors, but taxpayers shouldn’t subsidise a fourth or fifth investment property.remove disincentives for downsizers. We’ve never had bigger houses with fewer people in them—let’s make it easier to right-size.
“When two-thirds of Australians are relying on rising property values for their retirement, real reform becomes politically risky—but that’s no excuse for inaction,” Dezarnaulds said. “We need housing models that increase supply without threatening the financial security of current homeowners. If we don’t get this right, we’re locking an entire generation out of secure housing—and failing the ones that come after them too,” finished Kate.
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Media Assets
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Videos / photos of Rick Smith here
- Case studies available on request in various locations.
- Photos of Kate available here. More available on request. Campaign video: https://youtu.be/3pt46SbCB4I
MEDIA CONTACT:
Fleur Townley | 0405 278 758 | [email protected]
(N.B. Out of range from 4pm April 17 until April 22)
Graeme Moses | 0434 569 470 | [email protected]
About Kate Dezarnaulds and Her Campaign for Gilmore
Kate Dezarnaulds is an independent candidate for Gilmore, committed to delivering practical, community-driven solutions for the South Coast. A local business leader and advocate for regional investment, Kate is focused on fixing real issues, including improving infrastructure, strengthening local economies, and ensuring government funding reaches the people who need it. Kate’s campaign is built on listening to the community, advocating for transparency, and working collaboratively to achieve meaningful change. She believes that Gilmore deserves a strong, independent voice in Canberra—one that puts people before politics.
For more information, visit kate4gilmore.com.au or follow Kate on @kate4gilmore
Authorised by Kate Dezarnaulds, Independent for South Coast Pty Ltd, 3/68 Albert St, Berry NSW 2535