Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, Senator Duniam. It will deliver housing for people escaping family violence, for veterans and for First Nations Australians. Sadly this week the Liberals and the Nationals and the newest member of their coalition, the Greens political party, teamed up to reject the Housing Australia Future Fund Bill. The actions of the Greens stopped the Housing Australia Future Fund from starting to enter into commitments for new homes from 1 July this year. They did this because the Greens love to campaign about more housing, but, when it comes to it, the Greens do everything they can to block more affordable housing for vulnerable Australian. Just two days after the Greens rejected the fund in the Senate, Yarra city Greens councillors voted against social housing in their area. While explaining their opposition to the new social housing on council owned land, one Greens councillor said the land was better used for 'other things than social housing'. Another Greens councillor complained that social housing wasn't inclusive. Sadly, the Greens talk the talk on affordable housing, but, when it comes to actually supporting specific projects, they vote it down. We will not be deterred by the Greens political games. (Time expired)