Jodie Belyea (Dunkley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Today I stand here, as the proud local member for Dunkley, focused on a simple goal: making sure people in my community can access safe, secure and affordable housing. In Dunkley, the need is clear. Nearly 60 per cent of residents are classified as low or very-low income, with higher than average rates of single-parent households, domestic and family violence and housing stress. That makes action on housing not just important but urgent.

While the challenges are real, so is the progress. Our government is delivering the most ambitious housing agenda in generations—one that is practical, targeted and already improving lives. We are focused on three priorities: building more homes, making it better to rent and making it easier to buy. Since we came to office, more than 180 Australians have bought their first home with just a five per cent deposit, including 1,713 people from Dunkley. That's over 1,000 local families with greater security and a stake in their future.

We have increased Commonwealth rent assistance by nearly 50 per cent, supporting more than one million households during a tight rental market. We've also turned the corner on the construction of 5,000 homes across the nation, with commencements up and construction costs stabilising. Importantly, more than 25,000 social and affordable homes are now in planning or construction, with over 5,000 already completed. We know that this work must continue.

This term, we are committed to delivering 55,000 social and affordable homes, helping build 100,000 homes for first home buyers and working toward the national goal of 1.2 million homes over five years. People get nervous when they hear that figure. It's aspirational. But, in my opinion, if you don't have a goal and you don't have an aspiration, you've got nothing to work towards. So we will forge ahead with intention to do our bit to provide more homes for people in our communities.

Housing policy only works when it connects with people on the ground. That's why I delivered a housing forum in Dunkley, in partnership with Frankston City Council and the Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula. The forum brought builders, industry, community organisations and all levels of government together to share opportunities, build local connections and start shaping a clear housing roadmap for our region. It was practical, solutions focused and exactly what our growing community needs.

I've also met with the Greater South East Melbourne network and held more than 50 meetings with local stakeholders since January, listening to what help they need to unlock and deliver the homes people need. The message is clear: Dunkley is a place of opportunity to invest, to build and to live, but investment in housing must keep pace with that growth. I will continue to push for that outcome along with support from Frankston City Council and my state colleagues.

I will not stop advocating for my community, because housing isn't just about buildings. It's about stability, opportunity and the future we are building together in Dunkley.

House adjourned at 20:00

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