Question Time AU

Bill Debate · Second Reading

Housing Australia Amendment (Accountability) Bill 2025; Second Reading

Senate · Thursday 4 September 2025

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

At a glance

Senator Wendy Askew introduced the bill to require parliamentary oversight for material changes to the Housing Australia Investment Mandate. She argued that the current use of non-disallowable instruments to expand the Home Guarantee Scheme lacked sufficient scrutiny and violated principles of delegated legislation. Askew cited declining transparency under the current government and referenced historical precedents for parliamentary accountability. The debate was adjourned with leave granted for the senator to continue her remarks later.

Outcome

Debate adjourned with leave granted for the senator to continue remarks later.

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

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Wendy Askew (TAS) (Liberal Party) Liberal

Askew supported the bill as a measure to ensure responsible spending of tax dollars and proper parliamentary oversight. Askew argued that material changes to the Housing Australia Investment Mandate, particularly regarding the Home Guarantee Scheme, should be subject to disallowance rather than being made via simple instruments. Askew contended that the government had expanded the scheme without income or placement caps, which required scrutiny by elected officials. Askew maintained that the bill would restore accountability and prevent the executive from bypassing parliamentary scrutiny through delegated legislation.