Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister confirm that the best advice he has to offer Australians struggling to pay rents that have skyrocketed under his government is that they should just go and buy a house? Does the Prime Minister realise just how out of touch that is?

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) | Link to this | Hansard source

Once again, the Leader of the Opposition has come forward and outlined things not as they were, seeking to misrepresent the remarks I made on this matter. In response to this matter, I said specifically that the budget provides for rental assistance through the Commonwealth Rent Assistance program. I made exact reference to rental assistance and the government providing some $5 billion a year. I also made reference to the fact that our government has delivered lower taxes for Australians, which helps them deal with cost-of-living pressures. I spoke specifically about the great work in this budget that will actually help Australians who have been renting buy their own home. Not everyone can buy their own home. The Leader of the Opposition has bought plenty of homes. He's bought plenty more than I have, and good for him! Good luck to him! We celebrate success on this side of the House.

At the last election, the only housing policy those opposite had was to put up the taxes on housing. But, under our government, we went to the last election and we said we were going to get more Australians able to buy their own home. Over 300,000 Australians have been able to get into their own home as a result of the home guarantee, as a result of the HomeBuilder program, which was opposed by the Labor Party, and as a result of the First Home Super Saver Scheme, which was opposed by the Labor Party. Not only that—we put in $2 billion to support the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation, which I established as Treasurer and which is supporting affordable accommodation, affordable rents, through partnerships with the community housing sector to ensure that can be delivered.

Whether it's the Commonwealth Rent Assistance program, whether it's the reduced taxes that we've put in place or whether it's the home guarantee program for those who are trying to save for their first home—there are now 50,000 places each year under this budget, with 10,000 of those places reserved specifically for people in regional areas, because we know how tough it is there—we are supporting Australians to get into a home. That is something we specifically promised we would do, and we have delivered.

Andrew Wallace (Speaker) | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Gilmore is warned.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) | Link to this | Hansard source

At the last election, the only policy they had was to put up taxes, and I know the shadow Treasurer says this: any housing policy that doesn't have changes to negative gearing and capital gains—

Andrew Wallace (Speaker) | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will resume his seat. The Deputy Manager of Opposition Business on a point of order.

Mark Butler (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives) | Link to this | Hansard source

Direct relevance: there was no provision for alternative policies in that question. There were none.

Andrew Wallace (Speaker) | Link to this | Hansard source

The Deputy Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat. There was no opportunity to talk about alternative policies, but the last part of the question in particular does open up the field. I will direct the Prime Minister to return to the question, but that last part of the question enables a very, very broad response. The Prime Minister has the call.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Quoting the shadow Treasurer: 'Any housing policy that doesn't have changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax is just a shocker.' It's in their DNA to increase taxes on housing and to abolish negative gearing. Our government won't do that. Our government will never do that because we know that if you abolish negative gearing the rents go up. They pretend to care about rents, but they don't, because in their DNA— (Time expired)