Kate Chaney (Curtin, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak on the motion presented by the member for Calwell, in which he congratulates the Labor Party for doing something in relation to housing—specifically, allowing first home owners to borrow more money than they would otherwise be able to by putting down only a five per cent deposit. Two hundred and twenty thousand Australians have taken up this offer, and I understand why they took up that offer—because they have no choice—and good for them, sort of. They now have a home, but they also have bigger debts. Let's not kid ourselves that this policy actually addresses the housing crisis. It just throws more fuel on the fire. It means more people can borrow more money, driving prices up. It's basic economics. If there's more money available, prices go up. Don't get me wrong, I want to see housing policy to address intergenerational inequity, but it will need to be bold, and this isn't it. This changes who gets into the lifeboat first and increases the cost of a seat in the lifeboat, but it doesn't create more lifeboats.

Housing access and affordability are now the biggest issue I hear about. Two weeks ago, when I was out doorknocking in Scarborough, people stood at their front doors and told me how worried they are about their children and grandchildren being locked out of the market entirely, or they shared their own concerns about rising interest rates and their housing stress. Last week at UWA orientation day, I asked new first-year uni students what issues concerned them most. Housing was their No. 1 issue, both in our gumnut poll and in our more detailed online survey. When I was a uni student, it didn't cross my mind that I wouldn't be able to find a house eventually. My then boyfriend lived in a comfortable share house with the support of Austudy and a part-time job. That's now pretty much impossible. Even my youth advisory group, made up of year 11s from all the schools in my electorate, are concerned about their future housing prospects. That shouldn't have to be your biggest concern when you're 16.

I find it hard to tell these young people that the solution is to let them borrow more money, to let them become more leveraged, to take on more risks so that they can pay the ever-increasing prices for the houses that their parents and grandparents could easily afford. So what should be done? Well, there's no silver bullet, but there are plenty of ideas focused on increasing supply and levelling the playing field so new homeowners and renters get a fair go. Part of this has to be changing the tax settings. I've been engaging with my community to gauge the level of appetite for reforming capital gains tax and negative gearing. It's a complex issue, but I'm getting a strong message from my community that people can see that these settings are no longer fair for young Australians who simply cannot compete in a market where tax structures favour investors. Across doorknocks, community forums in person and online, and surveys, the message is clear: we need a fairer system that gives the next generation a genuine chance at homeownership, and that means being honest about what's working and what's not.

Reform to housing taxes is just one of 15 ideas in our Curtin housing policy developed through community workshops, surveys and expert input. Here are a couple of others. We need to build more social and affordable housing. In 1983, there were 14 social housing approvals for every 100 private builds. Today, that figure is just 1.7 per 100, a dramatic decline that's left the bottom rung of the housing ladder dangerously thin. The HAFF is a start, but more needs to be done. We need to allow more medium-density housing in appropriate areas. Planning and zoning processes take too long. Medium density needs to be done with local consultation so we build communities that people want to live in. When Auckland reformed its zoning laws, it saw a four per cent increase in housing stock. We must protect renters. With house prices unlikely to fall sharply in the short term, more Australians will be renting for longer. They need basic, nationally consistent protections so they can live with stability and dignity while they save, study or raise families.

There are 11 more ideas in my Curtin housing policy on my website. As we head towards the government's next budget, the real test is whether those in power will show the political courage to act. We won't fix this problem by allowing first home buyers to borrow more money. Housing is the foundation of security, opportunity and community. People in Curtin and across the country are calling for bold action because every Australian deserves a safe, secure place to call home.

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