National should apologise for housing gaffe

“Northcote needs a local MP who's focused on quality affordable housing, not on scaremongering rhetoric trying to divide our community," says Labour candidate for Northcote Shanan Halbert.

Mr Halbert’s statement follows comments from National’s Northcote candidate in a Newsroom article about the upcoming by-election:

“Mr Bidois also suggests crime could be on the increase with housing developments going up around the Northcote shopping centre, but then back-tracks on that when asked why more crime would be the result of affordable housing.”
"Having lived in this electorate for many years, I know how important it is that we get more affordable homes built. The locals I talk to are all worried that young families are having to move away from Northcote because they can’t get a foot on the housing ladder.

"To write them all off as causing crime is offensive. Mr Bidois should apologise to local people trying to get into their first home.
“It also follows comments from ACT MP David Seymour opposing social housing in the Epsom electorate last week”

“As the MP for Northcote, I will be a strong local voice who will get things done - one of my priorities is housing. I am proud to be campaigning on delivering the right mix of affordable and social housing for our community. I was lucky enough to buy a house in Birkenhead with my partner seven years ago, before the housing crisis. Now, average house prices in Northcote are over $1 million, according to QV and we simply must give our people more opportunity to settle in our great community”

“It is deplorable to link affordable housing to mental illness as David Seymour has, or to crime as my National opponent has. I am campaigning on getting things done for Northcote, not playing to prejudice”
ENDS

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