Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessness, Senator Farrell. After a decade of delay and dithering on housing, the Albanese government has committed to an ambitious housing reform agenda to boost the supply of housing and help get more Australians into a house. Can the minister provide an update to the Senate on what the Albanese government is undertaking to improve the affordability and accessibility of housing in Australia?

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

Can I thank Senator Urquhart for her very important question. The Albanese government's ambitious housing reform agenda is about boosting the supply of housing. We are delivering more homes for Australians who need them. The $10 billion—

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Well, if you listen, I'll give you the answer. The $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund will deliver 30,000 new social and affordable rental homes. The National Housing Infrastructure Facility was expanded with up to $575 million and a commitment for a further $1 billion for even more social rental homes. The $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator will deliver around 4,000 new social homes right across Australia. We've delivered the largest increase in Commonwealth rent assistance in over 30 years. National Cabinet has committed to a better deal for renters to harmonise and strengthen renters' rights across Australia. More than 86,000 people have been helped into homeownership since the election of the Albanese government through the Home Guarantee Scheme. We now have introduced legislation for our Help to Buy shared equity scheme. This life-changing legislation builds on programs like the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee and the expanded Home Guarantee Scheme, which are already helping tens of thousands of people into homeownership. At every opportunity, the Albanese government has added to its housing agenda, and it will keep delivering to ensure more Australians have a safe and affordable place to call home.

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

President, I raise a point of order. Senator Farrell did promise me that, if I listened carefully, he would tell me how many houses have been built—

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

Senator Birmingham, that is not a point of order.

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have been trying to listen carefully, Senator Farrell, and I still haven't heard the answer.

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

Senator Birmingham! I have called you three times. Resume your seat. Minister Farrell, have you concluded your answer? Thank you. Senator Urquhart, a first supplementary?

Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister, for that answer. It's encouraging to hear the Albanese government is showing national leadership and offering support to make sure that Australians have an affordable place to call home. Some people think it's funny, but I don't. Can the minister provide more information to the Senate about the Albanese government's significant investment in the Help to Buy scheme and how it will bring homeownership back into reach for more Australians?

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

I thank Senator Urquhart for her first supplementary question, and, yes, I can answer that question. She knows that, for Australians trying to buy a home, Help to Buy will be life-changing. Help to Buy supports eligible homebuyers with just a two per cent deposit through an equity contribution, bringing homeownership back into reach for thousands of Australians, particularly renters. Disappointingly, we saw those opposite team up with the Greens to delay this life-changing legislation in this place, causing meaningful delays to renters wanting the stability and security of their own home. I can assure Senator Urquhart that, despite the efforts of the Greens, the Albanese government has helped 1,120 Tasmanians into homeownership. With Help to Buy, we will help even more.

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

Senator Urquhart, a second supplementary?

Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister, for that update. It's heartening to hear that the Albanese government continues to take steps to support more Australians to move into homeownership. We know that secure and safe housing is vital to supporting Australians who are at risk of or are experiencing homelessness.

Can the minister provide an update on how the Albanese Labor government is helping to deliver more secure housing for women experiencing, including in my state of Tasmania?

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

I thank Senator Urquhart for her second supplementary question, and yes, I can answer that question. The Albanese government's $2 billion social housing accelerator is delivering more social housing for Tasmanians, helping to get Tasmanians who are at risk of homelessness into safe and secure housing. Minister Julie Collins, a wonderful minister from Tasmania, has just this afternoon announced a joint partnership with the St Vincent de Paul Society to deliver a $16.7 million development of 38 new homes in Hobart for women over 55 who are experiencing homelessness. We know that access to safe and secure housing is life changing for people who are experiencing homelessness. This project delivers on our commitment to supporting vulnerable women right across Australia, including in Senator Urquhart's home state of Tasmania. (Time expired)