Raff Ciccone (Victoria, 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, my good friend Senator Farrell.

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thought I was your good friend!

Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You're also my good friend. In fact, all the senators here are good friends. I note the announcement of a record investment in Commonwealth rent assistance by the Albanese Labor government which will soon support thousands of people in my home state of Victoria. Minister, what will the increase in rent assistance mean for Australian renters, and what is standing in the way of making renting easier and fairer for these Australians?

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

I thank Senator Ciccone for his question and the wonderful work he does in the housing space for the great state of Victoria. I commend the senator for his interest in this area and his advocacy in his home state.

As the senator knows, too many Australians are struggling with high rent. Australians are doing it tough, and a lack of affordable housing is a very big part of that story. That's why the Albanese Labor government is helping nearly one million households around Australia with the cost of rent, by delivering yet another increase in the rate of Commonwealth rent assistance. This is the second year in a row that we have increased rent assistance, making it the first back-to-back increase in more than 30 years. For the thousands of renters in your home state of Victoria, Senator Ciccone, that means less of a pinch when the rent is due.

But, right now, these Green senators up here are standing with the Liberals and the Nationals, opposing Labor's build-to-rent bill, which will build more affordable rental homes and make life easier for renters. The Liberals, the Nationals and the Greens have had a chance to improve the lives of renters, and yet they refuse. The Albanese Labor government is committed to delivering more affordable rentals right around the country. So I ask the Liberals, the Nationals and the Greens to work with us to do that right here and now.

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

Senator Ciccone, first supplementary?

Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the minister for that very comprehensive answer. One of the most common barriers faced by many people in my home state of Victoria when it comes to buying their own home is being able to put down a deposit. How is the Albanese government making it easier for renters to achieve the great Aussie dream of homeownership, and how realistic are alternative policies?

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

Once again, I thank Senator Ciccone for his first supplementary question. Senator, you are right; one of the biggest challenges for a lot of Australians looking to buy a home is being able to put down a house deposit, particularly when they are already struggling to pay the rent. Through the Help to Buy scheme, the Albanese Labor government would help Australians slash the size of their deposit and their mortgage. We're ready to help Australians who otherwise wouldn't be able to purchase a home at all. The Liberals, the Nationals and the Greens have a chance to support Aussie homeownership, and, on behalf of every aspirational Australian, I hope, one day, they finally do.

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

Senator Ciccone, second supplementary?

Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you again, Minister. What could put these substantial increases in Commonwealth rent assistance at risk, and what is standing in the way of the government's aim to support low- and middle-income Australians into homeownership?

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

I thank Senator Ciccone for his second supplementary question. If there's one thing that could put renters at risk, and one thing that would make it harder for Australians to get into a home, it's the Greens teaming up with the Liberals and the Nationals to block and delay. We went to the last election with a comprehensive Homes for Australia plan, a plan that will help make it easier to rent and easier to buy a home, because, unlike those opposite, we are serious about making the dream of homeownership a reality; we're serious about building the homes that Australians need. It's time for the Liberals, the Nationals and the Greens political parties to stop blocking and help us build right now.