Housing

Watson-Brown criticised the government for failing to protect renters from unlimited rent increases and no-cause evictions, noting that rents in Brisbane had risen 50 per cent over five years. Watson-Brown argued that rising interest rates and corporate profiteering were driving inflation, rather than tax settings. Watson-Brown called for winding back the capital gains tax discount, citing a Greens-led Senate inquiry report that identified it as a contributor to inequality and wealth transfer to the top one per cent of earners.

Byrnes highlighted specific projects in the Illawarra funded by the Crisis and Transitional Accommodation Program and the Housing Australia Future Fund, including homes for women fleeing domestic violence. Byrnes noted that nearly $19.5 million had been delivered for 50 homes in Cunningham, with additional funding for emergency accommodation. Byrnes also mentioned that over 1,005 people in the electorate had bought their first home through the Home Guarantee Scheme and that more than 10,000 locals had received increased Commonwealth rent assistance.

Small argued that renting was less affordable and secure than under the previous government, with national median rents rising by more than 30 per cent. Small claimed the five per cent deposit scheme had not increased supply and had instead inflated prices, leaving Australians with high mortgages. Small stated that the National Housing Accord was behind schedule by 30,000 homes per year and that infrastructure deficits were preventing development in growth corridors. Small emphasised that 640,000 Australians were on waiting lists for social housing.

Georganas defended the government's record, stating that the five per cent deposit scheme was delivered three months early and that the previous government had lacked a housing minister. Georganas highlighted new social housing projects in Adelaide, including homes for older women at risk of homelessness. Georganas noted that construction had started on more than 570,000 homes towards the 1.2 million target and that the Housing Australia Future Fund was driving progress. Georganas argued that housing stability was a moral duty and that the government was addressing long-standing inaction.

Coffey outlined the government's $45 billion housing plan, focusing on building more homes, making buying easier, and improving conditions for renters. Coffey reported that new home starts were up 11.6 per cent and construction cost inflation had fallen to 1.8 per cent. Coffey highlighted the delivery of 55,000 social and affordable homes, including a project in Stones Corner, and noted that over 50,000 Queenslanders had used the five per cent deposit scheme. Coffey also mentioned significant increases in Commonwealth rent assistance for renters in Griffith.

Kennedy argued that housing supply was not matching population growth, citing an influx of 1.2 million new Australians against fewer than 500,000 new homes. Kennedy claimed that high immigration levels and government spending were driving inflation and interest rates, with families paying over $25,000 more annually in mortgage interest. Kennedy criticised the Housing Australia Future Fund for delivering fewer than 900 homes despite holding $11.4 billion. Kennedy called for balancing immigration with housing supply and redirecting subsidies to individual homebuyers rather than institutional investors.

Gosling defended the government's comprehensive housing plan, noting that more social and affordable homes had been built in one year than the previous government did in nine. Gosling highlighted that new home starts were up 11.6 per cent and that the National Housing Accord was showing early results. Gosling announced an increase in the maximum property value for the five per cent deposit scheme in Greater Darwin to $750,000 from 1 July 2026. Gosling stated that the scheme had already helped over 1,800 people in the Northern Territory enter the housing market.

McCormack cited rising construction insolvencies, which increased from 351 in 2020-21 to 1,567 in 2024-25, as evidence of sector distress. McCormack attributed this to economic conditions, lack of land availability, and shortages of tradespeople and materials, particularly timber. McCormack argued that the cost of doing business needed to be reduced and that the government had failed to address the cost-of-living crisis. McCormack stated that regional Australia was struggling with high costs and that the government could no longer blame the previous administration.

Doyle contrasted the current government's active role with the previous Coalition's lack of leadership and national targets. Doyle highlighted that over 570,000 homes had been built and that construction cost inflation had decreased significantly from 17 per cent. Doyle noted that more than 6,000 social and affordable homes had been completed, with 55,000 more in the pipeline. Doyle emphasised the success of the five per cent deposit scheme, which had helped over 230,000 people nationwide, and criticised the opposition for opposing key housing measures.