Question Time AU

Bill Debate · Second Reading

Housing Legislation Amendment (National Definition of Affordable Housing) Bill 2026; Second Reading

House of Representatives · Monday 14 September 2026

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The debate concerned a private member's bill aimed at establishing a consistent national definition for affordable housing. The mover argued that current definitions are inconsistent and often unaffordable for key workers, proposing a cap on rent at 30 per cent of income for households in the bottom 40 per cent of the income distribution. The second speaker supported the bill, citing examples of high rents labelled as affordable in their electorate and criticising the government for inaction. Both members urged the government to adopt the bill's principles to address housing stress and ensure housing is accessible to essential workers.

Outcome

The bill was debated but no final vote result was recorded in the provided transcript.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Nicolette Boele (Bradfield) (Independent) Ind

Boele moved the second reading of the bill, arguing that the term affordable housing lacks a consistent definition, leading to rentals that remain prohibitively expensive for key workers. Boele proposed defining affordable housing as rent capped at the lower of 30 per cent of household income or market rent, targeting households in the bottom 40 per cent of the state income distribution. The bill requires management by registered community housing providers and mandates that federally funded projects adhere to this definition to prevent misleading marketing. Boele acknowledged the bill's limited scope due to jurisdictional constraints but urged the government to use it as a foundation for broader reform.