Opened the debate
Cook argued that the previous coalition government had neglected housing for a decade, building only 373 social and affordable homes. Cook stated that the current government had launched an ambitious agenda, including the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund, to address this deficit. Cook highlighted the construction of 19 new homes in High Wycombe as evidence of tangible progress. Cook noted that the government had set a target to construct 1.2 million dwellings within five years and was delivering 55,000 social and affordable rental homes. Cook also mentioned policy changes such as limiting negative gearing to new builds and replacing the capital gains tax discount with indexation. Cook emphasized support for renters through increased Commonwealth rent assistance and bans on no-grounds evictions in most states.