Gabrielle de Vietri MP
@gabrielledevietri.bsky.social
Member of Parliament for Richmond, Victorian Greens Spokesperson for Renters' Rights, LGBTIQA+ Rights, Disability, Circular Economy and the Arts.
The final witness in the Inquiry into Labor's plan to demolish and privatise all of Melbourne's 44 public housing towers is Harriet Shing, Labor Minister for Housing.
Tune in live now - www.parliament.vic.gov.au/watch
Tune in live now - www.parliament.vic.gov.au/watch
August 6, 2025 at 6:22 AM
The final witness in the Inquiry into Labor's plan to demolish and privatise all of Melbourne's 44 public housing towers is Harriet Shing, Labor Minister for Housing.
Tune in live now - www.parliament.vic.gov.au/watch
Tune in live now - www.parliament.vic.gov.au/watch
The Department of Families, Fairness & Housing, & Homes Victoria are speaking to the Inquiry now.
So far, we've heard what we already knew - the Gov refuses to release majority of the documents on their demolition and privatisation plan.
If these docs justify the Gov's plan, why not release them?
So far, we've heard what we already knew - the Gov refuses to release majority of the documents on their demolition and privatisation plan.
If these docs justify the Gov's plan, why not release them?
August 6, 2025 at 4:33 AM
The Department of Families, Fairness & Housing, & Homes Victoria are speaking to the Inquiry now.
So far, we've heard what we already knew - the Gov refuses to release majority of the documents on their demolition and privatisation plan.
If these docs justify the Gov's plan, why not release them?
So far, we've heard what we already knew - the Gov refuses to release majority of the documents on their demolition and privatisation plan.
If these docs justify the Gov's plan, why not release them?
We are hearing from Australian Institute of Architects, who in their opening statement spoke on the heritage & cultural value of the towers.
"Heritage includes attachment to cultural memory which forms part of the heritage value. What we are asking is that those things are given appropriate weight"
"Heritage includes attachment to cultural memory which forms part of the heritage value. What we are asking is that those things are given appropriate weight"
August 6, 2025 at 2:52 AM
We are hearing from Australian Institute of Architects, who in their opening statement spoke on the heritage & cultural value of the towers.
"Heritage includes attachment to cultural memory which forms part of the heritage value. What we are asking is that those things are given appropriate weight"
"Heritage includes attachment to cultural memory which forms part of the heritage value. What we are asking is that those things are given appropriate weight"
Up now we have Sarah Toohey - chief executive of Community Housing Industry Association, who made a strong acknowledgment of the land, stating that First Nations communities bear the brunt of the housing crisis.
August 6, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Up now we have Sarah Toohey - chief executive of Community Housing Industry Association, who made a strong acknowledgment of the land, stating that First Nations communities bear the brunt of the housing crisis.
Jackson Payne from Stop the demolition, a grassroots, workers-led coalition, is now speaking to the inquiry. 
When asked if community housing providers are able to cherry pick tenants, they replied “I am currently viewing applications [for community housing] on higher income as it’s a requirement”
When asked if community housing providers are able to cherry pick tenants, they replied “I am currently viewing applications [for community housing] on higher income as it’s a requirement”
August 6, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Jackson Payne from Stop the demolition, a grassroots, workers-led coalition, is now speaking to the inquiry. 
When asked if community housing providers are able to cherry pick tenants, they replied “I am currently viewing applications [for community housing] on higher income as it’s a requirement”
When asked if community housing providers are able to cherry pick tenants, they replied “I am currently viewing applications [for community housing] on higher income as it’s a requirement”
Questions have focused on the difference between community and public housing.
Damien Patterson, Director of Policy at Tenants Victoria said they certainly have “a greater proportion of community housing residents facing eviction than public housing tenants.”
Damien Patterson, Director of Policy at Tenants Victoria said they certainly have “a greater proportion of community housing residents facing eviction than public housing tenants.”
August 6, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Questions have focused on the difference between community and public housing.
Damien Patterson, Director of Policy at Tenants Victoria said they certainly have “a greater proportion of community housing residents facing eviction than public housing tenants.”
Damien Patterson, Director of Policy at Tenants Victoria said they certainly have “a greater proportion of community housing residents facing eviction than public housing tenants.”
"It would be sinful to knock those towers down" Gerry Noonan, a retired engineer who worked on the construction of the towers told the Inquiry.
"I'd be more than happy to live in [the towers], it's quite adequate, impeccable condition."
"I'd be more than happy to live in [the towers], it's quite adequate, impeccable condition."
August 5, 2025 at 11:53 PM
"It would be sinful to knock those towers down" Gerry Noonan, a retired engineer who worked on the construction of the towers told the Inquiry.
"I'd be more than happy to live in [the towers], it's quite adequate, impeccable condition."
"I'd be more than happy to live in [the towers], it's quite adequate, impeccable condition."
First, we’re hearing from Gerry Noonan, a retired engineer involved in the construction of the concrete towers, & Richard Cameron, a retired architect, involved in the construction of the Carlton Red Bricks.
Richard Cameron started by calling for an immediate pause to demolition & any further works
Richard Cameron started by calling for an immediate pause to demolition & any further works
August 5, 2025 at 11:38 PM
First, we’re hearing from Gerry Noonan, a retired engineer involved in the construction of the concrete towers, & Richard Cameron, a retired architect, involved in the construction of the Carlton Red Bricks.
Richard Cameron started by calling for an immediate pause to demolition & any further works
Richard Cameron started by calling for an immediate pause to demolition & any further works
An incredible opening statement from Arundhathi Lekshmi, researcher and advocate from the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health. She spoke about the profound effects of cutting migrant women off from their communities and supports during forced relocations.
August 5, 2025 at 3:06 AM
An incredible opening statement from Arundhathi Lekshmi, researcher and advocate from the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health. She spoke about the profound effects of cutting migrant women off from their communities and supports during forced relocations.
We're now hearing from The Retrofit Labs. They told the inquiry that studies show retrofitting produces “significantly better outcomes.“
They also spoke about the benefits of the towers' concrete panel construction (as opposed to a steel structure) for the retrofitting process.
They also spoke about the benefits of the towers' concrete panel construction (as opposed to a steel structure) for the retrofitting process.
August 5, 2025 at 2:43 AM
We're now hearing from The Retrofit Labs. They told the inquiry that studies show retrofitting produces “significantly better outcomes.“
They also spoke about the benefits of the towers' concrete panel construction (as opposed to a steel structure) for the retrofitting process.
They also spoke about the benefits of the towers' concrete panel construction (as opposed to a steel structure) for the retrofitting process.
Onto the next set of witnesses, we’re hearing from Housing@RMIT who have spoken about the issues with the ground lease model.
"I can’t show any examples of when the ground lease model has been proven to be effective.” David Kelly said.
"I can’t show any examples of when the ground lease model has been proven to be effective.” David Kelly said.
August 5, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Onto the next set of witnesses, we’re hearing from Housing@RMIT who have spoken about the issues with the ground lease model.
"I can’t show any examples of when the ground lease model has been proven to be effective.” David Kelly said.
"I can’t show any examples of when the ground lease model has been proven to be effective.” David Kelly said.
“When the gov announced to 10,000 people that their homes would be demolished I was personally shocked.”
“I think what was done was deplorable. It offended standards of common decency. It’s not the way that governments should behave towards anybody.” - Hon Kevin Bell
“I think what was done was deplorable. It offended standards of common decency. It’s not the way that governments should behave towards anybody.” - Hon Kevin Bell
August 5, 2025 at 1:18 AM
“When the gov announced to 10,000 people that their homes would be demolished I was personally shocked.”
“I think what was done was deplorable. It offended standards of common decency. It’s not the way that governments should behave towards anybody.” - Hon Kevin Bell
“I think what was done was deplorable. It offended standards of common decency. It’s not the way that governments should behave towards anybody.” - Hon Kevin Bell
Day 4 of the the Public Housing Inquiry hearings have started.
First, we’re hearing from OFFICE, a not-for-profit Melbourne-based design and research firm. They've created the ‘Retain Repair, and Reinvest’ report (RRR), which is a feasibility study on the refurbishment of the PH towers.
First, we’re hearing from OFFICE, a not-for-profit Melbourne-based design and research firm. They've created the ‘Retain Repair, and Reinvest’ report (RRR), which is a feasibility study on the refurbishment of the PH towers.
August 4, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Day 4 of the the Public Housing Inquiry hearings have started.
First, we’re hearing from OFFICE, a not-for-profit Melbourne-based design and research firm. They've created the ‘Retain Repair, and Reinvest’ report (RRR), which is a feasibility study on the refurbishment of the PH towers.
First, we’re hearing from OFFICE, a not-for-profit Melbourne-based design and research firm. They've created the ‘Retain Repair, and Reinvest’ report (RRR), which is a feasibility study on the refurbishment of the PH towers.
“The Victorian Labor Party and its real estate agents have shown themselves to be morally bankrupt’ - Michael Walpole - a public housing resident, told the inquiry in his opening statement 🔥🔥🔥
July 22, 2025 at 4:52 AM
“The Victorian Labor Party and its real estate agents have shown themselves to be morally bankrupt’ - Michael Walpole - a public housing resident, told the inquiry in his opening statement 🔥🔥🔥
We’re back from a break and hearing from Sahra Aden, a public housing resident. She was told when she moved into her current home, in one of the towers Labor plans to demolish, that she could live there as long as she wants.
“I feel I have been lied to; I have been cheated” she told the panel.
“I feel I have been lied to; I have been cheated” she told the panel.
July 22, 2025 at 4:24 AM
We’re back from a break and hearing from Sahra Aden, a public housing resident. She was told when she moved into her current home, in one of the towers Labor plans to demolish, that she could live there as long as she wants.
“I feel I have been lied to; I have been cheated” she told the panel.
“I feel I have been lied to; I have been cheated” she told the panel.
"My concern is not with moving for renovations. My concern is about moving from public housing into community housing" Thi Mai Tran, public housing resident
July 22, 2025 at 3:00 AM
"My concern is not with moving for renovations. My concern is about moving from public housing into community housing" Thi Mai Tran, public housing resident
Up first is Thi Mai Tran and Thuy Thanh. In Mai’s opening statement she said she was told “you need to sign up [for relocation], you’re going to end up homeless if you don’t”.
July 22, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Up first is Thi Mai Tran and Thuy Thanh. In Mai’s opening statement she said she was told “you need to sign up [for relocation], you’re going to end up homeless if you don’t”.
“Well it depends if you’re the person who’s homeless at the moment” was George Hatvani from Launch housing’s response to Labor MP Ryan Bachelor when asked if it’s feasible to have a demolition and rebuild as part of a long term plan to increase supply.
July 1, 2025 at 2:38 AM
“Well it depends if you’re the person who’s homeless at the moment” was George Hatvani from Launch housing’s response to Labor MP Ryan Bachelor when asked if it’s feasible to have a demolition and rebuild as part of a long term plan to increase supply.
Resident Maurya speaks out in front of the Victoria Government’s inquiry into Labor’s demolition of public housing towers ✊🔥
July 1, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Resident Maurya speaks out in front of the Victoria Government’s inquiry into Labor’s demolition of public housing towers ✊🔥
Ilo shared how Layla, a current resident, felt upon learning about the demolition: “We were shocked on the day of the announcement, Homes Victoria came, all of a sudden and knocked on our doors. It scared me. The information was not clear.”
June 24, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Ilo shared how Layla, a current resident, felt upon learning about the demolition: “We were shocked on the day of the announcement, Homes Victoria came, all of a sudden and knocked on our doors. It scared me. The information was not clear.”
Join us tomorrow morning at 7am at 33 Alfred Street to stop the demolition and privatisation of public housing.
This is not a construction site. This is their home.
This is not a construction site. This is their home.
June 2, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Join us tomorrow morning at 7am at 33 Alfred Street to stop the demolition and privatisation of public housing.
This is not a construction site. This is their home.
This is not a construction site. This is their home.
Well done to the Victorian Labor government.
Hope you are feeling very good about yourselves making a public housing resident pay the legal costs of the class action against you for trying to demolish and privatise their home.
Sickening.
Hope you are feeling very good about yourselves making a public housing resident pay the legal costs of the class action against you for trying to demolish and privatise their home.
Sickening.
April 7, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Well done to the Victorian Labor government.
Hope you are feeling very good about yourselves making a public housing resident pay the legal costs of the class action against you for trying to demolish and privatise their home.
Sickening.
Hope you are feeling very good about yourselves making a public housing resident pay the legal costs of the class action against you for trying to demolish and privatise their home.
Sickening.
Melbourne rents have hit record highs forcing renters to make desperate decisions just for somewhere to live.
Only capping rent increases will stop out-of-control rent increases.
But Labor would prefer to keep renters suffering than upset their property investor mates.
Only capping rent increases will stop out-of-control rent increases.
But Labor would prefer to keep renters suffering than upset their property investor mates.
April 2, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Melbourne rents have hit record highs forcing renters to make desperate decisions just for somewhere to live.
Only capping rent increases will stop out-of-control rent increases.
But Labor would prefer to keep renters suffering than upset their property investor mates.
Only capping rent increases will stop out-of-control rent increases.
But Labor would prefer to keep renters suffering than upset their property investor mates.
Climate activists unfurled banners and threw fish confetti into the chamber during question time today.
Why? Because Labor has continues to allow gas projects and deadly seismic blasting.
Why? Because Labor has continues to allow gas projects and deadly seismic blasting.
April 1, 2025 at 4:35 AM
Climate activists unfurled banners and threw fish confetti into the chamber during question time today.
Why? Because Labor has continues to allow gas projects and deadly seismic blasting.
Why? Because Labor has continues to allow gas projects and deadly seismic blasting.
Seven so-called "affordable" homes - a term so vague it can mean more than market rent - does not buy the Premier social licence to demolish and privatise temporary accom for women who travel to Melbourne for cancer treatment, abortion care or babies needing neonatal care.
March 19, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Seven so-called "affordable" homes - a term so vague it can mean more than market rent - does not buy the Premier social licence to demolish and privatise temporary accom for women who travel to Melbourne for cancer treatment, abortion care or babies needing neonatal care.