Cameron Caldwell (Fadden, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Sadly, the great Australian dream has become a nightmare under this Labor government. At barbecues across Australia over summer, people were simply asking, 'How are our kids going to get into a home?' Well, here are just a few points as to where this Labor government is failing on housing.

Firstly, they had what they called an ambitious target of 1.2 million homes over five years. That's 60,000 homes per quarter every quarter. Of course, in year 1 they fell 65,000 homes short. The ABS data last week confirmed that they are now a further 15,000 homes behind. They are just not going to hit their moving target. Secondly, there was the chaos and dysfunction at Housing Australia, where they've lost their chair and there was a secret report that they won't reveal. Thirdly, the government expanded their five per cent deposit scheme but knew that there weren't enough houses in the system to meet the demand, driving prices through the roof. And, of course, the Treasurer has played his part as well because interest rates are up.

For all of these people in the gallery today: if you're a mortgage holder, it's about $1,800 more per month. We've lost 100,000 tradies and apprentices out of the system. And, if you don't have those trades, you can't build the houses. This minister was hopeless in Home Affairs. She's hopeless with homes.

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