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Allan Labor government neglect over the housing crisis leaves intellectually disabled Gippslanders vulnerable

Intellectually disabled Victorian Damian Midwinter confronts a housing crisis due to government inaction, highlighting the urgent need for advocacy for vulnerable citizens in relocation matters.

By news@gippsland - 1st February 2024 - Back to News

Damian Midwinter is one of thousands of Victorians who is sitting idle on the Allan Labor government's priority transfer housing waitlist. Damian lives with intellectual disability, has reduced vision in his left eye and can only see shadows in his right eye. He has been desperately trying for over 18 months to relocate from Foster to Wonthaggi in order to access crucial medical and disability support.

Despite efforts, Mr. O'Brien received no response from the Minister for Housing since February 2023, revealing government's failure amid Victoria's housing crisis rhetoric

O'Brien advocates for Damian

The Nationals Member for Gippsland South Danny O'Brien said he first wrote to the Minister for Housing to advocate on Damian's behalf in January 2023. "When Damian's mother Monica, who is also his carer, first contacted me for help Damian had already spent six months on the priority transfer waitlist."

"Damien's vision is deteriorating further each day and after more than 18 months of waiting, Monica is understandably desperate to see Damian settled into a new home before he is completely blind," Mr O'Brien said.

Housing waitlist crisis

Figures from June 2023 show there are 9,373 applicants on the transfer housing waitlist with 5,965 of those having met the criteria for a priority transfer. This is in addition to 55,822 applicants on the social housing waitlist.

Mr O'Brien said Monica turned to him for help as she was feeling let down by the Allan Labor government. "Monica was led to believe that Damian would be allowed to transfer to a vacant unit in Wonthaggi that is typically reserved for over 55s, if she was able to provide supportive reports from her son's NDIS support worker and occupational therapist."

"I am told that Monica spent over $2000 to obtain the reports she was told she needed, only to be later told that this was no longer an option. There is a huge shortage of social housing available right across our state and, if true, it beggars belief that a suitable unit is being allowed to sit empty while a blind man is left struggling to access the medical and disability support that he needs," Mr O'Brien said.

Minister ignores crisis

Mr O'Brien said the latest correspondence he had received from the Minister for Housing on this matter was in February 2023, despite subsequent emails and calls to the Minister's office. "It is evident that we are in the midst of a housing crisis right across Victoria.

"While the Allan Labor government may talk a big game with its much-touted Big Housing Build Program, the proof is in the pudding. The truth is that in my electorate of Gippsland South, there are fewer social houses now than there were when Labor first formed government in 2015," he said.

Gippsland's housing decline

Mr O'Brien said that it was not just his own electorate, but all of Gippsland that was seeing social housing stock dwindle under Labor with data recently released by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing* showing that social housing stock across the six local government areas that make up Gippsland decreased from 4,874 in 2015, to 4,834 as of 30 June 2023.

"It's clear Jacinta Allan has lost control of the housing crisis and our most vulnerable Victorians are left paying the price. People like Damian Midwinter need us to stand up for them and hold the Allan Labor government to account," he said.

Pictures from ABC News ( Australia ) YouTube channel.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Darren Chester urges Gippslanders to support local artisans, makers, and small businesses this holiday season
  Federal Member Darren Chester encourages Gippslanders to shop local this Christmas, supporting artisans, makers, and small businesses like Emporium 3844, boosting the regional economy and celebrating community talent.
• Gippsland CFA volunteers still wait for critical fire station upgrades amid $55M Labor funding cuts
  Gippsland CFA volunteers face years-long delays for safe, modern fire stations as Labor cuts $55 million, reducing equipment, compensation, and infrastructure, putting communities at risk and demanding urgent funding.
• Danny O'Brien urges Gippslanders to use free blind safety kits to prevent tragic child accidents
  Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien urges residents to order free Consumer Affairs Victoria blind safety kits, warning unsecured curtain cords are a hazard and simple fixes can prevent child deaths.
• Darren Chester urges young Gippslanders to apply for 2026 National Youth Parliament Leadership Program by 21 November 2025
  Darren Chester is encouraging Gippsland students aged 16 - 17 to apply for the 2026 National Youth Parliament, offering a fully funded week-long leadership and democracy program in Canberra.
• CFMEU corruption report exposes organised crime links, $15B project blowouts, prompting Melina Bath to demand Labor accountability
  The ‘Rotting from the Top’ report exposes serious CFMEU corruption, links to organised crime, and $15 billion in project blowouts, prompting Nationals MP Melina Bath to demand Allan Labor government accountability.
• Kurnai College supports young Gippslanders completing Year 12 while balancing parenting and education challenges
  Kurnai College’s Young Parents Program helps Gippsland students complete Year 12, gain VET qualifications, and build confidence, resilience, and life skills while providing onsite childcare and strong community support.
• Mayor Rochelle Halstead honoured with MAV 10-year Service Award for her dedication to local government
  Bass Coast Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead has received the MAV 10-Year Service Award, recognising her decade of dedicated leadership, advocacy, and commitment to strengthening local government and the Bass Coast community.
• Darren Chester welcomes Minister Catherine King’s confirmation that the Eastern Beach Road intersection remains a priority
  The federal government has increased funding to $6.6 million for the Lakes Entrance road safety upgrade, but Federal MP Darren Chester says state government delays continue to stall the vital project.
• Princes Highway $2M upgrade improves safety and access for pedestrians at Lakes Entrance and Kalimna
  Nearly $2 million in joint government funding will upgrade Princes Highway at Lakes Entrance and Kalimna, improving pedestrian safety, access, and traffic flow with new medians, lighting, safety platforms, and path reconstruction.
• One Gippsland urges stronger climate action and investment to build regional disaster resilience
  One Gippsland is calling for urgent government action, investment and policy reform to strengthen disaster resilience, improve planning, and protect coastal communities facing increasing climate-related risks and rising economic costs.
• Danny O’Brien denounces Port Welshpool Coastguard funding snub despite 25-year-old vessel and critical rescue role
  Danny O’Brien criticised the state government for overlooking Port Welshpool Coastguard, leaving its 25-year-old vessel unreliable, and urged clarity and reconsideration of funding decisions for critical local rescue services.
• Darren Chester urges federal support for forest scientists making Australia's sustainable native hardwood timber industry
  Darren Chester has urged the Albanese government to support credible forest scientists backing Australia's sustainable native hardwood timber industry, criticising activist influence and government bans harming regional jobs and communities.
• Danny O'Brien commends South Gippsland Shire for securing Nyora transport study funding, urges further state investment
  Danny O'Brien has praised South Gippsland Shire Council for securing state funding for the Nyora Transport Study, urging the Allan Labor Government to follow through with real investment and road upgrades.
• Tim Bull demands end to brumby shooting as pest and weed control programs face cuts
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull has urged the state government to scrap its costly brumby shooting program, criticising cuts to pest and weed control services vital for farmers and rural communities.
• Victorian Health Department sets Gippsland priorities, access, workforce, safety, shared services, and mental health expansion
  The Victorian Department of Health has set four Gippsland health priorities: access, workforce, safety, and shared services, while highlighting mental health needs and significant workforce investment at Warragul's regional health leaders' forum.
• Melina Bath said CFA volunteers face risks due to aging equipment and $55M funding shortfall since 2020
  The CFA faces a $50 million deficit as volunteers fight fires with aging equipment, with funding lagging inflation despite Allan Labor’s claims, exposing ongoing crisis and growing pressure on brigades.