Locals turned up in big numbers to attend a town hall meeting with Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese and Federal Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain on Monday at the Braidwood Regional Arts Centre.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The leaders discussed a range of issues with the locals including job creation, climate change, COVID-19 vaccines and affordable housing availability to name a few.
Ms McBain acknowledged that the residents across the electorate are facing the issue of lack of affordable housing.
READ ALSO: Doctors keen to reduce vaccine hesitancy
"I have held round table conferences with residents of several areas and they have shared the same concerns regarding the lack of availability of affordable housing," she said.
The Labor Party leader added that there is a need to address the issue. "I grew up in public housing and understand having the security of a roof over our head," he said.
He further said that the party has promised to establish $10 billion housing future fund to build 20,000 social and community housing properties.
READ ALSO: Australia being left behind on renewables
"Out of these, 4000 will be reserved for women and children escaping domestic violence. A total of 10,000 affordable housing homes, in both regional and capital cities, will be built as well," Mr Albanese said.
In terms of COVID-19 vaccination, the Federal Labor leader feels that vaccine rollout could have been more effective.
"We should be manufacturing the mRNA vaccines here in Australia and build a dedicated quarantine facility in every state. The mRNA vaccine can be adapted for different strains," he added.
READ ALSO: Farm workers getting $1/hr or less: survey
"We need solutions to be able to allow people to travel to the country. For that to happen, the precondition is to get the vaccination done and fixing quarantine. Unless we do that, we will continue to have major issues with the labour market."
The Leader of the Opposition also talked about climate change and what can be done to address the issue.
"It is important to focus on transmission and ensuring that renewables can enter the grid and can be used at the right time, and help improve the stability," he added.
He further said that the Australian energy market operator has an Integrated Systems Plan (INP) that provides an integrated roadmap for the development of the National Electricity Market.
