Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, President, and I thank Senator Sterle for the supplementary. Senator Sterle's question is right, because he is asking: how are we helping renters and now those who we would like to transition from renting into homeownership? But those who have opposed Help to Buy are pretending that they've kicked it off for two months. They are feeling so awkward about this unholy alliance that has been formed—the antihousing alliance in this chamber—that they're pretending their vote against the bill is actually a delay. Well, they don't need to be accountable, and I think those who have opposed Help to Buy need to be accountable and upfront about how they've behaved in this chamber this week. They haven't delayed the bill; they have voted against the bill. Every single time the vote has been put, they have voted against it. They don't want to be upfront and accountable for that, so they're pretending they're delaying the bill. But that bill has been stopped by this Senate this week, and for all those who would have benefited, you need to be accountable for that—

An honourable senator: Time!