Housing

Senator Brown defended the government's housing record, citing the introduction of a five per cent deposit scheme that would reduce mortgage insurance expenses for first-home buyers by $1.5 billion. Senator Brown highlighted that over 5,000 homes had been finished using Commonwealth funds, with another 25,000 in the planning or building stages. Senator Brown contrasted this with the previous government, which built only 373 social and affordable homes and lacked a dedicated housing minister for most of its term.

Senator Pocock criticised the government's approach as insufficient, arguing that expanding the five per cent deposit scheme would drive up house prices and benefit banks and investors. Senator Pocock called for the removal of tax concessions that allow investors to outbid first-home buyers and advocated for a major public housing program. Senator Pocock described the current situation as a generational lottery where homeownership is determined by wealth rather than income.

Senator Mulholland stated that the government was delivering the boldest housing initiatives since the Second World War through the $43 billion Homes for Australia plan. Senator Mulholland noted that 180,000 Australians had been helped to buy their first home and that rental assistance had been increased by nearly 50 per cent. Senator Mulholland emphasised that the government aimed to build one million new homes over five years and was training more tradespeople to support construction.

Senator Whitten argued that the housing crisis was exacerbated by mass immigration and ineffective government programs. Senator Whitten claimed that the Housing Australia Future Fund had produced only 17 homes in two years and that government purchasing of existing properties reduced supply for private buyers. Senator Whitten asserted that the government was draining skilled tradespeople from the private sector and failing to deliver qualified labour to meet construction demands.