Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report, with an interim report to be presented by

23 September 2023 to aid in the deliberations of the National Cabinet on renters'

rights, and a final report to be presented by 28 November 2023:

The worsening rental crisis in Australia, with particular reference to:

(a) the experience of renters and people seeking rental housing,

(b) rising rents and rental affordability;

(c) actions that can be taken by governments to reduce rents or limit rent rises;

(d) improvements to renters' rights, including rent stabilisation, length of leases

and no grounds evictions;

(e) factors impacting supply and demand of affordable rentals;

(f) international experience of policies that effectively support renters;

(g) the impact of government programs on the rental sector; and

(h) any other related matters.

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

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

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

The government will not be supporting this motion, as it is clearly another attempt to distract, delay and defer real action on housing. The Greens want to ask the community affairs committee to investigate factors impacting supply and demand of affordable rentals. One factor is their teaming up with the coalition to reject a debate on a new social and affordable rental housing fund. The answer to the rental stress is a sustained boost to the supply of affordable homes to rent. That's what the government is trying to do through the HAFF, and exactly what these people walked into this place and rejected. We are committed to delivering real action for Australia's renters through delivering more homes, and we will not play into another Greens attempt to distract, delay and defer real action on the housing needs of Australians.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that business of the Senate motion No. 1, standing in the name of Senator Rice, be agreed to.