Matter of Public Importance

Housing

Senate · Monday 24 November 2025

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

At a glance

The Senate debated a matter of public importance moved by the Australian Greens, calling for the government to restrict property investor tax breaks and direct APRA to curb investor lending. Greens senators argued that investor activity was driving up prices and outcompeting first-home buyers, while Labor senators defended their record on building social housing and implementing the five per cent deposit scheme, emphasising APRA's independence. Liberal and One Nation senators criticised the government's housing supply outcomes and proposed alternative measures such as reducing migration and banning foreign property ownership. The motion was ultimately negated.

Outcome

The motion was negated.

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

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Larissa Waters (QLD) (Australian Greens) Greens

Waters argued that Australian cities were among the least affordable globally due to high investor lending and tax breaks for landlords. Waters stated that investor lending had risen significantly while first-home buyer lending remained low, creating a system rigged against ordinary buyers. Waters called for the government to direct APRA to restrict investor lending and to scrap $181 billion in tax perks for property investors. Waters also criticised the five per cent deposit scheme for inflating property prices and benefiting banks.

Opposition response

Andrew Bragg (NSW) (Liberal Party) Liberal

Bragg argued that the housing crisis stemmed from a collapse in housing supply rather than investor activity. Bragg claimed that dwelling completions had fallen from an average of 200,000 to 170,000 per year under the current government. Bragg criticised the Housing Australia Future Fund for being secretive and inefficient, noting it had acquired only 340 homes at high costs. Bragg described the five per cent deposit scheme as a gimmick that increased entry-level property prices and burdened buyers with large mortgages.

Charlotte Walker (SA) (Australian Labor Party) ALP oppose

Walker argued that APRA is an independent regulator and should not be directed by politicians to change lending standards. Walker highlighted that the government had built 5,000 social and affordable homes with 25,000 more in the pipeline, contrasting this with the previous government's record. Walker stated that dwelling commencements had grown by 9.2 per cent and that the five per cent deposit scheme had supported 197,000 Australians into homeownership.
Tyron Whitten (WA) (Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) One Nation oppose

Whitten argued that private property investors provide essential rental housing and should not be scapegoated for the housing crisis. Whitten noted that most investors own only one or two properties and contribute to housing supply. Whitten proposed reducing annual migration to 130,000 and banning foreign ownership of residential property to increase housing availability for Australians.
Jana Stewart (VIC) (Australian Labor Party) ALP oppose

Stewart emphasised that APRA is an independent regulator responsible for financial system stability. Stewart reiterated the government's investment of $43 billion in housing supply and the construction of 5,000 social and affordable homes. Stewart stated that building approvals were growing and that the five per cent deposit scheme had helped 197,000 Australians purchase homes.
Barbara Pocock (SA) (Australian Greens) Greens support

Pocock argued that investor loans accounted for more than 40 per cent of new loans, driving up prices through bidding wars. Pocock called for APRA to bring back stricter macroprudential rules on investor lending, citing previous successful interventions between 2014 and 2018. Pocock also urged the government to address tax breaks for investors, including negative gearing and capital gains discounts.

Opened by

Larissa Waters (QLD) (Australian Greens)

Greens

Speeches

7 speeches, 4 other contributors

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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.