Lee Rhiannon (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) the United Nations Human Rights Council recently received a report (A/HRC/34/51) from the Special Rapporteur on housing, and

(ii) the report argues that treating housing as a commodity and a means of accumulating wealth disconnects housing from its social function of providing a place to live in security and dignity, and undermines the realisation of housing as a human right; and

(b) calls on the Government to treat housing as a human right.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The coalition government does not agree that a person's or family's home is a commodity. We are strong supporters of supplying housing for those most in need and contributed $6.8 billion in 2016-17 to support social housing and combat homelessness. Our ongoing policy work is aimed at ensuring an adequate and affordable supply of housing for hardworking Australians. The government recognises the aspirations of Australians to own homes and invest in their future. We do not support statements that pit one group of Australians against others or proposals to distort housing markets.

Question agreed to.