Fatima Payman (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

In my first speech in this place, I said:

I do not know what it will take to end homelessness, but I want it gone.

I knew I was elected to be part of a Labor team that took this issue seriously and would do whatever was possible to get roofs over vulnerable people's heads. Twelve months into the job, I'm still learning every day, and on Monday I learnt a very important lesson: that the Greens political party don't understand what progress looks like. To defer legislation that will create 30,000 additional social housing units, including for women and children escaping domestic violence, because they don't think it's enough? Come on. It's time you walk the talk.

Despite the barriers the Greens have put in our way with the help of their new mates the coalition, the Albanese government has once again found a way to help: $2 billion for public housing across the country. This is only because the state and territory leaders know—

Ho nourable senators interjecting—