Budget

Belyea supported the motion, stating that the investment addresses immediate housing needs in communities like Dunkley. Belyea highlighted the allocation of $60 million for a youth housing incentive to help young people avoid homelessness. Belyea noted that 1,837 residents in her electorate had used the five per cent deposit scheme, contributing to a national expectation of 75,000 additional first-home buyers.

Rebello argued that businesses, not governments, build homes, and claimed the current economic environment discouraged construction. Rebello stated that the government was building 30,000 fewer houses per year than the previous coalition government. Rebello attributed rising costs to union influence and claimed that tax changes had led to lower clearance rates, making it harder for Australians to enter the market.

Soon supported the motion, emphasising the $2 billion Local Infrastructure Fund to deliver pipes, pavements, and powerlines for 65,000 new homes. Soon noted that new home commencements were up 26 per cent compared to the previous year, with over 660,000 homes built since Labor took office. Soon contrasted this with the opposition's record, noting they had not appointed a housing minister for nearly a decade.

Conaghan criticised the $2 billion figure as being spread over four years, with only $262 million committed in the first year. Conaghan argued that removing negative gearing and changing capital gains tax would reduce housing construction by 35,000 homes. Conaghan claimed that high immigration levels, combined with reduced building activity, were straining regional infrastructure, citing capacity issues in Port Macquarie.

Clutterham argued that the housing crisis was long-standing and required coordinated action across all levels of government. Clutterham highlighted the Local Infrastructure Fund as a key tool to unlock supply by funding enabling works like water and roads. Clutterham noted that nearly 500 people in her electorate had used the five per cent deposit scheme and defended the government's ambitious targets for social and affordable housing.

Chaney supported the spirit of the motion but argued that investment levels were insufficient to address the collapse of social and affordable housing. Chaney cited data showing that a person on JobSeeker could afford only one property in the entire country, with zero affordable listings for those on Youth Allowance. Chaney welcomed the $60 million youth housing supplement but called for sustained, long-term federal investment to meet the projected gap of 640,000 social and affordable homes.