Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) | Hansard source

Once again, the Leader of the Opposition has come forward and outlined things not as they were, seeking to misrepresent the remarks I made on this matter. In response to this matter, I said specifically that the budget provides for rental assistance through the Commonwealth Rent Assistance program. I made exact reference to rental assistance and the government providing some $5 billion a year. I also made reference to the fact that our government has delivered lower taxes for Australians, which helps them deal with cost-of-living pressures. I spoke specifically about the great work in this budget that will actually help Australians who have been renting buy their own home. Not everyone can buy their own home. The Leader of the Opposition has bought plenty of homes. He's bought plenty more than I have, and good for him! Good luck to him! We celebrate success on this side of the House.

At the last election, the only housing policy those opposite had was to put up the taxes on housing. But, under our government, we went to the last election and we said we were going to get more Australians able to buy their own home. Over 300,000 Australians have been able to get into their own home as a result of the home guarantee, as a result of the HomeBuilder program, which was opposed by the Labor Party, and as a result of the First Home Super Saver Scheme, which was opposed by the Labor Party. Not only that—we put in $2 billion to support the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation, which I established as Treasurer and which is supporting affordable accommodation, affordable rents, through partnerships with the community housing sector to ensure that can be delivered.

Whether it's the Commonwealth Rent Assistance program, whether it's the reduced taxes that we've put in place or whether it's the home guarantee program for those who are trying to save for their first home—there are now 50,000 places each year under this budget, with 10,000 of those places reserved specifically for people in regional areas, because we know how tough it is there—we are supporting Australians to get into a home. That is something we specifically promised we would do, and we have delivered.

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