Pauline’s housing move

Richmond public housing resident Pauline was relocated from her home of more than 30 years after the block was scheduled to be demolished by the state government.

Pauline’s relocation pressure

Pauline says she felt pressured to move into an apartment in another high-rise on the block or risk being removed from the housing waitlist.

Greens MP’s criticism

Victorian Greens MP for Richmond, Gabrielle de Vietri, says Melbourne’s public housing towers have become an emblem of Labor ‘turning its back’ on issues it once championed.

“Melbourne’s public housing towers have become an emblem of Labor ‘turning its back’ on issues it once championed”

Labor’s election strategy

Labor sees an opportunity to regain city seats with targeted policies such as allowing dogs in pubs and extending trading hours.

Greens’ electoral gains

The Greens currently hold Melbourne, Richmond and Brunswick and have repeatedly attempted to reclaim Northcote, making it the most marginal electorate in the state.

Greens’ polling confidence

Demos tracking the Greens at 14%, up from 11.5% in 2022, with YouGov and Roy Morgan’s September federal polls putting their Victorian primary vote at 18% and 16% respectively.

Socialists’ critique

The Victorian Socialists argue the Greens have become a professional-class party made up of ‘landlords’ and ‘CEOs of NGOs’ rather than working-class people.

“The Greens have become a professional-class party made up of ‘landlords’ and ‘CEOs of NGOs’ rather than working-class people”

Labor’s redevelopment plans

Labor has committed to overturn a ban on drinking in a popular Carlton median strip, redevelopment of cohealth’s Collingwood site, allowing dogs in pubs and expanding trading hours to 3am.

Labor candidate’s stance

Labor candidate Sarah McKenzie supports the government’s plan for the public housing towers, saying some buildings have ‘serious issues’.

“some buildings have ‘serious issues’”

Public housing redevelopment plan

The state government plans to quadruple the Highett Street site from 200 to 800 homes, with 150 earmarked for social housing and 650 under a build-to-rent model.

Residents’ concerns

Nineteen-year-old Leonie, who has lived in public housing her whole life, felt residents had little choice but to accept the redevelopment.