Steve Georganas (Adelaide, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

During the last election, the Labor Albanese government promised to help more Australians into housing, and that is exactly what we're doing. We spoke about the five per cent deposit scheme, an election promise which we delivered on three months earlier than when it was meant to start. The five per cent deposit helps first home buyers get a home of their own sooner, slashing the amount of time required to save for a deposit.

It's interesting listening to those opposite, who've been critical of our policies. I'll just say that, after nine years in government, they took no action whatsoever. In fact, for a large segment of those nine years, there wasn't even a housing minister, and, when questions were asked about housing, they were always handballed to the states. We recall quite clearly the opposition saying: 'Well, that's not an issue for us. That's an issue for the state governments, not for the federal government.' Therefore, we had total inaction for a long period of time, and now we're facing the consequences.

But this government has brought the Commonwealth back to the table with the states to try and solve this problem. And it is a problem. Owning a house is so important. For many Australians today that dream feels like it's slipping further and further away. As a nation, we're doing the right thing. People are working, saving hard to try and buy that first home. I see it every day in my Adelaide community; I hear stories from parents about their kids who can't afford a house and from renters who can't afford to pay the rent. The crisis did not appear overnight. I'll make that quite clear: the crisis has been there for a long time, and there was total inaction.

It will take time to solve. It will take time to make sure that we get all the things correct, and we're seeing our commitment come into fruition at the moment. I've been to so many sod turning events for projects that are starting to take place, especially in my electorate of Adelaide. We have some magnificent projects that are taking place—for example, the Southwark development down in the western suburbs of Adelaide. Thousands of homes, apartments, are going to go up, especially apartments for low-income earners. And rents will be at low, subsidised prices for those who can't afford the full rent.

Just in the past month, I've had the privilege of attending two sod turning ceremonies in my electorate, moments that represent hope turning into reality. One was in Kilburn, where 29 new homes are being built for older women, a group now recognised as the fastest growing cohort at risk of homelessness in Australia. It's so important to see projects like this come to fruition. The other was in Bowden, delivering 24 social housing apartments and six affordable homes right in the heart of a thriving, connected suburb, close to amenities et cetera. And that's only the beginning.

We've seen the HAFF coming into fruition, and I've visited many of these projects to see the construction that's taking place. Across the country, ambition is meeting action at a scale. The goal is bold: 1.2 million new homes. Already construction has started on more than 570,000 homes, and there is no slowing down. This takes planning. It takes coordination. And it takes leadership. But, most of all, it takes listening to the communities—including about what's needed and where the at-risk are. The at-risk are renters and first home buyers. They are the people who simply want a fair chance. While building homes is critical, so too is helping people afford them—that is so important. Already, hundreds of thousands of Australians have been supported into their own homes—people who might still be waiting on the sidelines otherwise.

Home is not just a building. It's stability for a child going to school. It is dignity for an older Australian who's worked all their lives. It is confidence for a young couple starting life together. Housing in this nation should not be a privilege. It is a foundation for a decent life. Making sure that every Australian has a fair chance at a safe and secure home is not just an economic responsibility; it's a moral one. It is our duty, all of us, to ensure that we do everything we can to ensure that there is housing for Australians. We are a First World country. We should not be in this situation, but, because of the inaction of governments over the years, we are.

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