Housing

Dowling argued that the motion focused on slogans rather than the fundamental issue of housing supply. Dowling highlighted the government's $45 billion housing agenda, including 55,000 social and affordable homes and the Help to Buy scheme, noting a 12.8 per cent increase in dwelling approvals. Dowling claimed that tax tweaks would have minimal impact on prices compared to building more homes. Dowling accused the Greens and Liberals of blocking housing projects in Tasmania, such as a proposed 2,000-home development in Hobart.

Payman described housing as a macroeconomic issue requiring action on negative gearing and capital gains tax discounts. Payman noted that social housing had declined to 3.6 per cent of dwellings and argued that ending tax breaks for investors would save the budget approximately $160 billion. Payman suggested these funds could be redirected to building homes and easing cost-of-living pressures for families. Payman criticised the concentration of investment properties among a small number of wealthy individuals.

Mulholland defended the government's housing record, citing the delivery of 55,000 social and affordable homes and support for 220,000 first-home buyers through the five per cent deposit scheme. Mulholland stated that over 50,000 Queenslanders had purchased homes using this initiative, saving them from paying lenders mortgage insurance. Mulholland argued that the opposition and Greens had previously attempted to destroy these measures. Mulholland emphasised that ordinary Australians needed access to bank loans to enter the market.

Pocock linked the recent interest rate rise to government failure to address corporate profiteering and spiralling health costs. Pocock cited data showing the government spent more on investor tax breaks than on social housing and homelessness assistance combined. Pocock argued that social housing stock had reached record lows, worsening homelessness. Pocock called for the abolition of tax breaks for wealthy investors and the direct construction of public housing to cool demand.

McKim blamed the government for creating conditions that forced the Reserve Bank to raise interest rates. McKim argued that the five per cent deposit scheme had turbocharged credit growth for speculators while credit for owner-occupiers remained stagnant. McKim contended that massive tax subsidies for investors were driving up prices and allowing them to outbid first-home buyers. McKim also criticised the government for failing to act on corporate price gouging across various sectors.

Hodgins-May criticised the government for prioritising billionaire donors and corporate tax breaks over household relief. Hodgins-May argued that inflation was driven by corporate greed rather than wage increases. Hodgins-May called for an end to property investor tax breaks and a reduction in the power of corporations. Hodgins-May asserted that families needed immediate relief rather than political excuses.

Shoebridge rejected the notion that migration was causing the housing crisis, citing research that dwelling growth outpaced population growth. Shoebridge argued that tax breaks and negative gearing were the primary drivers of rising house prices, noting price increases during periods of negative net migration. Shoebridge criticised the government for failing to condemn rhetoric blaming migrants for housing issues. Shoebridge called for a plan that did not rely on handouts to developers or investors.