Matter of Public Importance

Housing

Senate · Wednesday 5 November 2025

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

At a glance

Senator Pocock moved a matter of public importance arguing that the government’s failure to reform tax breaks for wealthy investors and its five per cent deposit scheme were exacerbating the housing crisis. Government senators defended the five per cent deposit scheme and the Housing Australia Future Fund, citing record investment and homeownership numbers, while criticising the opposition for obstruction. Opposition and crossbench members argued that the government’s policies were driving up prices, failing to build sufficient supply, and unfairly benefiting investors and banks at the expense of first-home buyers and renters.

Outcome

The motion was not passed.

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

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Barbara Pocock (SA) (Australian Greens) Greens

Senator Pocock argued that the housing system was unstable due to $181 billion in tax concessions for affluent property owners and the five per cent deposit scheme. Pocock stated that house prices were rising rapidly across all regions, pushing first-home buyers out of the market and increasing homelessness. Pocock criticised both major parties for failing to address the crisis over the past quarter-century, noting that bank profits were soaring while young people faced lifelong renting. Pocock called for an end to tax concessions for investors and increased construction of social and affordable housing.

Opposition response

Andrew Bragg (NSW) (Liberal Party) Liberal

Senator Bragg argued that the government’s $60 billion housing spend had resulted in fewer houses being built compared to the previous Liberal government. Bragg criticised the Housing Australia Future Fund for purchasing existing homes rather than building new ones and raised concerns about governance issues within the fund. Bragg stated that the five per cent deposit scheme was driving up prices for first-home buyers and claimed that major superannuation funds were the primary beneficiaries of the fund’s tenders.

Corinne Mulholland (QLD) (Australian Labor Party) ALP oppose

Senator Mulholland defended the five per cent deposit scheme, stating that 190,000 Australians had purchased their first home through the program. Mulholland argued that the Greens and Coalition were engaging in political games to deny ordinary Australians the opportunity to own a home. Mulholland highlighted specific figures from Queensland electorates to demonstrate the scheme's success and criticised the opposition for demonising bank loans.
Malcolm Roberts (QLD) (Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) One Nation oppose

Senator Roberts attributed the housing crisis to mass migration, stating that 4.7 million non-citizen visa holders were outstripping supply. Roberts argued that negative gearing had a minor impact compared to the influence of foreign corporate landlords and high migration levels. Roberts outlined One Nation’s plan to end mass migration, ban foreign ownership of housing, implement a GST moratorium on building materials, and introduce government-issued people’s mortgages.
Steph Hodgins-May (VIC) (Australian Greens) Greens support

Senator Hodgins-May argued that the five per cent deposit scheme pushed young people into deeper debt rather than helping them. Hodgins-May stated that the government refused to address $181 billion in tax breaks for wealthy investors, which inflated prices and locked out first-home buyers. Hodgins-May highlighted that rents had risen by 44 per cent in five years and that homelessness was increasing, describing the situation as a morality crisis.
Nick McKim (TAS) (Australian Greens) Greens support

Senator McKim argued that the capital gains tax discount was highly regressive, with 50 per cent of the benefit going to the highest income earners. McKim stated that the tax system unfairly punished workers compared to property speculators, who paid significantly less tax on the same income. McKim urged the Labor government to reform the capital gains tax discount, noting they had previously adjusted stage 3 tax cuts.
Helen Polley (TAS) (Australian Labor Party) ALP oppose

Senator Polley defended the government’s $43 billion housing agenda, including the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund aimed at building 55,000 social and affordable homes. Polley criticised the Liberal Party for having no housing policy or minister during their nine years in government. Polley accused the Greens and Coalition of obstructing housing legislation and highlighted the government’s efforts to support renters and first-home buyers.

Votes during this debate

Division 19: Housing Not passed 11–29

Opened by

Barbara Pocock (SA) (Australian Greens)

Greens

Speeches

7 speeches, 5 other contributors

Topics

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About Senate debates

The Senate debates bills, motions, matters of public importance and the answers given in Question Time. Senators from all parties and the crossbench take part, and a minister or the minister representing them usually replies for the government. Summaries are in reported speech, not transcripts; always check the official record before quoting.