3/12/25
Wendy Bourne MP Demands Urgent Action from the Government
Wendy Bourne MP, State Member for Ipswich West, is calling on the Crisafulli Government to urgently step up cost-of-living relief for local renters, following new data showing that 490,000 Queensland households can no longer cover basic living costs once rent is paid.
In a video released on Ms Bourne’s social media on Monday 1 December, she highlighted the devastating picture in Ipswich West: more than half of renters are unable to afford essentials like groceries, energy bills, fuel, and registration after paying rent.
The situation is even more dire in several suburbs across the electorate.
In Brassall, Leichhardt, North Ipswich, Tivoli, Wulkuraka, and Yamanto, four in five rental households cannot afford basics after rent.
And in Barellan Point, Blacksoil, Chuwar, Haigslea, Ironbark, Karalee, Marburg, Pine Mountain, Thagoona, Walloon, the data reveals a staggering 100% of rental households are unable to afford essentials after paying rent.
Ms Bourne said the figures paint an unacceptable picture of hardship, and condemned the LNP Government not only for failing to act, but for actively increasing pressure on households.
She noted that in the second half of this year, the LNP cancelled the 20% vehicle registration discount, instead raising it a further 3.4%, while Budget Estimates earlier in the year also revealed that the LNP has resumed the sale of public housing to developers.
Ms Bourne said she will continue to fight for immediate support for renters in Ipswich West, and urged the LNP Government to reinstate cost-of-living relief and invest in housing security.
Quotes attributable to Wendy Bourne MP, State Member for Ipswich West
“When every single rental household in parts of my electorate can’t afford the basics, that’s a failure of government.”
“This year alone, the LNP scrapped the 20% discount on rego and then hiked it by another 3.4%, and Budget Estimates confirmed they’ve quietly resumed selling off public housing at a time when families are desperate for affordable homes.”
“People in Ipswich West are being punished by skyrocketing rents, and the LNP seems intent on punishing them further by rolling back existing relief and selling off our public housing stock.”
“Renters deserves better than the contempt in which they are held by this Government. The LNP must act now.”
For media enquiries, please contact ipswich.west@parliament.qld.gov.au
