Housing Australia Amendment (Accountability) Bill 2025

Stage by Stage

Summaries in reported speech - not a transcript. In date order, both chambers.

1. Thursday 4 September 2025 · Senate

   First Reading
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2. Thursday 4 September 2025 · Senate

   Second Reading

   Senator Wendy Askew introduced the bill to require parliamentary oversight for material changes to the Housing Australia Investment Mandate. She argued that the current use of non-disallowable instruments to expand the Home Guarantee Scheme lacked sufficient scrutiny and violated principles of delegated legislation. Askew cited declining transparency under the current government and referenced historical precedents for parliamentary accountability. The debate was adjourned with leave granted for the senator to continue her remarks later.

   Outcome: Debate adjourned with leave granted for the senator to continue remarks later.

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3. Thursday 30 October 2025 · Senate

   Second Reading

   The debate centred on whether investment mandate directions under the Housing Australia Act should be subject to parliamentary disallowance. Coalition senators argued the bill was necessary to restore democratic oversight and prevent executive overreach, citing concerns that recent expansions to the Home Guarantee Scheme lacked transparency and risked inflating housing prices. Labor senators opposed the bill, characterising it as an obstructionist tactic that would undermine investor confidence and destabilise government housing programs. The Greens supported the principle of accountability but criticised the government's broader housing record and lack of transparency regarding fund expenditures.

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4. Wednesday 4 February 2026 · Senate

   Second Reading

   The Senate debated the Housing Australia Amendment (Accountability) Bill 2025, which sought to allow the Senate to disallow regulations made under the Housing Australia Act, effectively enabling the blocking of government housing schemes. Labor senators opposed the bill, arguing it would dismantle successful programs like the Home Guarantee Scheme and Help to Buy, thereby hindering homeownership and social housing delivery. Opposition and crossbench senators supported the bill, contending that current government policies were inflating house prices and that the legislation was necessary for parliamentary scrutiny of bureaucratic regulations. The debate highlighted deep divisions over housing supply, demand management, and the role of institutional investors.

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5. Thursday 26 March 2026 · Senate

   Second Reading

   The Senate debated the Housing Australia Amendment (Accountability) Bill 2025, with Labor arguing it would disrupt ongoing housing construction and create policy uncertainty. Senator Whiteaker highlighted specific projects in Western Australia as evidence of current delivery under the Labor government. The bill was ultimately passed by a vote of 36 to 25.

   Outcome: The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 36 to 25.

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6. Thursday 26 March 2026 · Senate

   Third Reading
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