Question Time AU

Take Note Debate

Housing

Senate · Wednesday 19 August 2026

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

At a glance

Senator Pocock moved that the Senate take note of the Minister for Industry and Innovation's answer regarding renters, arguing the response was inadequate and focused on party politics rather than practical solutions. She highlighted the severe housing stress faced by essential workers, citing specific cases of a nurse and a teacher who struggled with high rents and poor living conditions. Pocock criticised both the government and the opposition for failing to address the needs of renters, noting that current policies did not significantly impact the large number of Australians in housing stress. She called for rent caps to support tenants and argued that the government had done too little to tackle the crisis despite its promises.

Outcome

The question 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 Minister's response to her question about renters was dismissive and lacked any significant policy content. Pocock described the situation of Lou, a nurse facing financial abuse and rental stress, and Maddie, a teacher struggling with unaffordable housing and long commutes, to illustrate the broader crisis. Pocock stated that the government's policies, including the Housing Australia Future Fund, were insufficient given the scale of the problem, with hundreds of thousands in acute stress. Pocock asserted that neither the government nor the Liberal Party had offered viable solutions for renters, with the opposition suggesting unacceptable living standards. Pocock concluded by calling for rent caps to protect tenants from greedy landlords and ensure secure housing for all.