They protect us, take care of the sick, and educate our children. But a new report shows that in southeast Queensland many frontline workers just can't afford to live where they're needed most.
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00:00They're the backbone of the country, but buying a house is now a pipe dream for many of our
00:08frontline workers, including nurses.
00:12At the moment I live with my family, I've tried to rent and purchase property but it
00:17just keeps going.
00:18It just keeps moving.
00:19Financially it's just not really an option for me right now, especially at my age.
00:23New data from the Property Council of Australia shows nurses, paramedics, teachers, childcare
00:29workers and police officers are struggling to buy a home.
00:34Housing in many parts of Queensland, in particular South East Queensland, has gone from being
00:39beyond reach or unaffordable to being beyond hope.
00:42The council profile full-time workers earning a combined income of $150,000 a year.
00:49What this report has shown is that it's incredibly challenging for people who are on a dual income
00:53within the demographics that we looked at to be able to afford to buy a house.
00:57We keep people alive a lot of the time when we work here, so there's not really much priority
01:03in that sense.
01:04Brisbane is now the second most expensive capital city in Australia to buy property.
01:10Recent data from CoreLogic reveals property prices have increased by more than five times
01:16the pace of Melbourne.
01:18Renters are also in strife.
01:20I have my own house, but I've seen so many students and other people, they are struggling
01:25to pay the rent.
01:26How have we reached the point where frontline heroes working in our community have reached
01:32the point that they can't live where they serve?
01:35The property council is calling for construction industry tax reform to help reduce building
01:41costs.
01:42Four months out from a state election, the Premier insists he has a plan.
01:48The challenges are around building costs, supply chain and workforce, and we have strong
01:53plans in place through the Homes for Queenslanders plan to address those.
01:57Cold comfort this winter for those on the front line.