Mary Aldred (Monash, Liberal Party) | Hansard source

It's a privilege to rise for my 100th contribution to this place. In doing so, I want to address a barbeque-stopper of a conversation topic in my electorate of Monash, and that is homeownership. I'm deeply concerned. Building approvals dropped in May for the third consecutive month. This is an impact of the budget's housing tax changes. Clearance rates have tumbled, and Australians are paying nearly $30,000 on their mortgage. Household savings are 6.2 per cent of income; people are dipping into their savings just to survive. The Victorian government provides a great example of how to lower the housing market by taxing and regulating everything.

The Prime Minister couldn't rule out—in fact, he was asked twice—that prices would not tank further. You can measure the budget deficit of this government in numbers, but nothing compares to the deficit of trust it has created in Australia. We need to unlock supply and enable local infrastructure like Weebar Road in Drouin, in my electorate of Monash, which I've been fighting very hard for.

It's 60 years since Robert Menzies left office. A proud achievement of his was to create the first standalone housing portfolio. He lifted taxes and he boosted supply. That's why the Liberal Party will always be trusted to deliver housing ownership and affordability for more Australians.

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