Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Senator Farrell. Safe and affordable housing is central to the security and dignity of Australians, but Australia doesn't have enough homes, and hasn't for a long time. We have an ambitious national goal of building 1.2 million homes by the end of the decade, but how is the Albanese Labor government working to take housing pressure off Australians by building more homes more quickly?

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

I thank Senator Stewart for her question. I know she has a great interest in housing and homelessness issues in the great state of Victoria. Of course, today the government has announced investment in more than 13,700 new social and affordable homes across Australia. It shows that the Commonwealth is back in the game of directly supporting new housing rights right across the country. After a decade of the coalition failing Australians at the Commonwealth level, this is the biggest investment in social and affordable housing in over a decade. We want more homes because that will reduce long-term rental queues across the country and make renting more affordable for everyone. We know the importance of having a roof over your head. Our Prime Minister is a testament to that story. His entire life was changed by his ability to access secure housing.

The industry supports our announcement. Today, the Community Housing Industry Association said:

This announcement represents solid progress we wholeheartedly commend.

While the Property Council said:

The announcement of funding for nearly 14,000 social and affordable homes will transform the lives of many Australians who dream of a home of their own …

The Albanese Labor government is committed to building more homes, more affordable homes, and we are getting on with the job, just as we are with electoral reform.

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

Senator Stewart, first supplementary?

Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Social and affordable homes, in particular, are a central part of the government's $32 billion Homes for Australia plan. How is the Albanese Labor government increasing the supply of social and affordable homes across Australia, and what is standing in the way of building more homes more quickly around Australia?

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

I thank Senator Stewart for her first supplementary question. The first round of Labor's Housing Australia Future Fund and the National Housing Accord programs will deliver 4,220 social homes and 9,522 affordable homes.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Really?

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

Yes, really. Yes, really, truly, really. If only you would vote for it. The program will unlock $9.2 billion worth of investment in social and affordable housing across the Commonwealth, the state and the territory governments, and the private and community housing sectors. The risk to those investments are right here in this chamber. The Liberals and the Nationals have already briefed the good journalists from the Australian on how they intend to abolish the Housing Affordability Fund if they form government. The risk— (Time expired)

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

Senator Stewart, second supplementary?

Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was recently seen that, under this government's expanded Home Guarantee Scheme, twice as many Australians have been able to get into their first home, compared to under the former government. How is the Albanese Labor government working to make it easier for first home buyers to buy a house? I'm curious as to what is standing in the way.

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

Unfortunately, Senator Stewart, I have to tell you that the reality is that most first home buyers do struggle to enter the housing market. The federal government, through the Help to Buy scheme, is ensuring that people on lower and middle incomes can come up with that deposit sooner and get their foot in the door of their own place sooner. These are the early childhood educators, the cleaners, the paramedics, the carers—everyone who we rely on on a daily basis. This is about getting them into their own home. So I say to the coalition and the Greens: let's get this done. Let's help 40,000 lower- and middle-income Australians get on the ladder. Let's do it right now.