Greens say Melbourne housing towers should be fixed amid claims that would be ‘putting lipstick on a pig’

Homes Victoria’s Simon Newport told has the rental affordability inquiry the public housing towers ‘were designed in the 50s and built in the late 50s. Their time is well past.’ Photograph: James Ross/AAP

The Greens have questioned why 44 public housing towers slated for demolition in Melbourne could not have been refurbished, after Victoria’s housing agency chief said maintaining them would be akin to “putting lipstick on a pig”.

Homes Victoria has been forced to defend the government’s decision to rebuild the towers, amid fierce opposition from the Victorian Greens, with the agency saying maintaining the towers would cost $2.3bn over 20 years.