Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate:

(a) notes that:

  (i) the COVID-19 crisis has further exposed existing inequalities in our broken housing system,

  (ii) renters across Australia face eviction as COVID-19 related eviction bans come to an end across states and territories, and

  (iii) as the economic crisis continues, more people are at risk of homelessness than ever before;

(b) calls on the Government to:

  (i) increase funding for emergency housing,

  (ii) invest in building more public and community housing which will create construction jobs and apprenticeships, and provide homes for people,

  (iii) direct lenders to implement mortgage relief, where needed, with no interest accrual, a ban on foreclosures and a freeze on owners' credit ratings,

  (iv) permanently increase income support, and

  (v) implement a national plan to end homelessness; and

(c) calls on the National Cabinet to:

  (i) implement waivers for rent arrears, with relief for those with rental debts, and

  (ii) agree on a national standard of renters' rights and rental laws to protect people from unfair evictions.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Morrison coalition government works in partnership with state and territory governments, who have primary responsibility for housing and homelessness. The Morrison government spends $6 billion every year on improving housing and homelessness outcomes for all Australians through Commonwealth rent assistance and the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement with the states. Shortly the government will announce the successful applicants to the Safe Places grant program, which will add emergency housing supply for women and children escaping domestic violence.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Labor won't be supporting this motion, as it demonises landlords and seeks to unfairly place a unilateral burden on them. Landlords are an important part of the housing system and many people put food on the table through the cash flow they generate from a single rental property. We have consistently said that no-one should lose their home, whether they own or rent it, because of the virus. Tenants and landlords need to work together through the process.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that motion No. 699, in the name of Senator Faruqi, be agreed to.