Question Time AU

Take Note Debate

Housing

Senate · Wednesday 12 August 2026

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

At a glance

Senator Pocock moved a motion to take note of the Minister's answer regarding housing, arguing that current government measures were insufficient to address the historic housing crisis. She criticised the five per cent deposit scheme for benefiting high-income earners and highlighted the slow progress of the Housing Australia Future Fund, citing an ANAO report that indicated significant risks to meeting targets. The senator called for greater investment in public housing and action on rents, noting that the fund had delivered only a small fraction of its promised homes. The motion was agreed to by the Senate.

Outcome

The motion was agreed to.

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

Pocock argued that the government's five per cent deposit scheme had primarily benefited high-income individuals, with 1,500 people quickly converting purchases into investment properties. Pocock contended that the Housing Australia Future Fund was failing to deliver at the necessary scale, noting that even if it met its target of 40,000 homes by 2029, it would assist only six per cent of the 640,000 people requiring assistance. Citing an ANAO report, she stated that the program was behind schedule, having delivered only 1,432 homes, which represented four per cent of the target. Pocock called for significant direct investment in public housing and reforms to rental laws, arguing that the current crisis required a historic response rather than the limited measures currently in place.