Michelle Ananda-Rajah (Higgins, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

As a mum, I'm used to cleaning up other people's mess, and I think that actually makes me highly qualified for this job. I certainly do this in my house, and I do it in this House. That's thanks to a decade of Liberal inaction and messed-up priorities. Inland Rail, commuter car parks, $5 billion on subs we never got, and let's not forget the $20 billion spent on consultants. It goes on and on, as far as the eye can see. That's what we're cleaning up.

But, in addition to their threadbare legacy, whether it be energy, health care or skills shortages across the economy, we can now add housing. Their waste was, as the Prime Minister said, radioactive: it takes forever to clean up. Housing is no exception. But the federal government is back at the table after a decade of being absent. We are here to work with the states and territories and indeed with local councils to solve this housing crisis, because we can't afford not to. Housing is foundational. It is a prerequisite to security and to prosperity. Right now there are far too many Australians, in Higgins and elsewhere, who are spinning their wheels in search of a roof over their head. The answer is supply.

The number of dwellings peaked in 2016 and supply has been in freefall ever since because the Liberals vacated their role of leadership. What does housing supply actually look like? I have had the privilege of seeing this in action. This is what happens when the federal government steps in. With $400 million, the Albanese government has helped build social and affordable housing in my own electorate. I had the privilege, with the housing minister, Julie Collins, and the state housing minister, Harriet Shing, of opening 434 homes in Bangs Street, Prahran. These are a mix of social, private rental and specialist disability homes. Do you know what? They are beautiful. These are warm, bright, modern homes. They have European laundries, induction stovetops, seven-star electric energy ratings, beautiful wooden floors, built-in wardrobes and bathtubs and showers—people should have the luxuries.

I had the privilege of speaking to Emma. Emma is an 80-year-old woman who has been on the public housing waiting list for about three years. She finally got this home and she felt like she had hit the jackpot. She has moved in, she cares for her cat and she is connected to her community. Why? Because we want to see homes built in areas where essential services are present, as well as public transport. Places like Prahran in the inner city are ideal in that regard. How are we doing that? We're doing that by incentivising, dangling a lot of carrots—$25 billion worth of carrot—in front of the states.

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