Anthony Albanese vs Max Chandler-Mather: PM goes after Greens MP over big problem

Anthony Albanese has targeted a Greens MP behind a popular TikTok account for blocking Labour’s $10bn housing fund while opposing new developments in his electorate, saying the party “cannot go both ways” can’.

Mr Albanese on Tuesday criticized Greens spokesman Max Chandler-Mather for his attacks on proposed new housing developments in the Queensland capital.

Mr Chandler-Mather, who is a member of Brisbane’s inner seat of Griffith, has launched a relentless series of attacks on social media against the Labor government over its housing policies – including housing assistance – and has racked up thousands of views.

Mr Chandler-Mather has used TikTok to reach a younger audience, many of whom would be directly affected by Australia’s lack of affordable housing.

His clips attract hundreds of thousands of views and interactions, showing Labor spending tax money and answering questions in real time about the biggest political stories of the day.

But the prime minister said Mr Chandler-Mather is also directly opposed to the development of more houses in his own electorate, which he said also makes life more difficult for voters.

Mr Albanese has accused Max Chandler-Mather (above) of ‘having it both ways’ – by opposing a housing project in his electorate

‘One of the things I find remarkable is that while the Greens are blocking additional support for social housing, they are also petitioning their housing spokesperson to block the development of more housing in Brisbane,’ Mr Albanese said.

“You can’t have both.”

Mr. Chandler-Mather has joined community residents in opposing proposals to build new apartment buildings, including the Bulimba Barracks site, where three- to five-story towers are proposed.

“Luxury residential towers are making the housing crisis worse,” he wrote on Twitter.

“My suggestion to Labor hackers is to focus your advocacy on stopping Labor from outsourcing its entire housing policy to developers and banks.”

Labour’s Housing Australia Future Fund aims to build 30,000 social and affordable homes over five years, including 4,000 homes for women and children affected by domestic violence.

The government’s attempts to cast a vote for its signature election policy were defeated by the Greens and the coalition in the Senate last week.

Mr. Chandler-Mather’s TikTok videos have sometimes been viewed hundreds of thousands of times

An artist’s impression of what the site of the Bulimba barracks could look like

Asked about reports that Labor faced internal pressure at the party’s national conference in August to limit negative gearing, Mr Albanese ruled out any changes.

“The government’s position is very clear and it’s a position we’ve been mandated for in the 2022 election and I’m someone who is delivering on the commitments we’ve made,” he said.

The 49th ALP National Conference will be the first to be held face-to-face in five years.