Government should use low risk prison inmates to help renovate derelict buildings to alleviate the crisis in affordable housing, says Opposition Senator Kenneth Bascome.

Speaking immediately after Wednesday?s Senate sitting, Sen. Bascome noted Government?s argument that the construction industry is overheated and it was difficult to proceed with renovations or construction without bringing in foreign construction workers.

But he said more affordable housing could be brought to market relatively quickly by using prisoners.

?That would be their way of giving something back to the community,? he said. ?You have in the Government qualified masons and plumbers who could run a project.?

He said if legislation was needed it could be passed with little debate.

Asked whether the scheme would not be detrimental to private sector interests, Sen. Bascome said that the private sector should be consulted before going ahead.

?Right now we have reached the limit. So what are you going to do? You are going to wait for the construction crews to become available? There are people now screaming for housing.?