The Australian Institute of Architects has expressed disappointment and sadness at the federal government’s 2022 budget, which it says lacks ambition to address the country’s most critical challenges.
The budget, delivered 29 March, included greater investment in affordable housing and an expansion to its first home buyer scheme.
The Institute said it acknowledges the government’s proposed $2 billion funding for affordable housing, but said it was “dismayed” by a lack of measures for social housing and climate change.
National president Tony Giannone said the budget was a “status quo proposal.”
“Before the Budget, the Institute called for multibillion-dollar funding to address our social housing crisis and the climate emergency,” he said. “We are saddened at the lacklustre approach to both these issues.”
The Institute recently released a pre-budget submission calling on the federal government to commit $1 billion to decarbonizing the built environment, among other recommendations with social housing and climate action at the core.
In its submission, the Institute called for $4 billion in community housing, co-designed with First Nations people. Giannone said the government’s corresponding commitment to repurpose $7.7 million in existing Indigenous home ownership programs was “insufficient.”
There was also no new direct funding identified in the budget for renewable energy generation projects. Rather, the government is investing $250 million over five years to support investment in low emissions technologies such as hydrogen.
“As custodians of Australia’s built environment, we know there are ways that we can improve efficiency and lower emissions in our homes, offices and buildings,” Giannone said.
“Industry leaders in the property sector are demonstrating what is possible, but for large-scale, national changes to our built environment, we need government support. This was a disappointing omission.”
The Institute was also disappointed that the budget did not support a move away from fossil fuels, nor did it offer a comprehensive post-disaster strategy for climate-induced catastrophe.
The Institute welcomed the additional trades training places, but again urged the government to expand this offering to graduate skills.
Click here to read the institute’s pre-budget submission.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
