Sam Rae (Hawke, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

AE () (): My question is to the Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessness. What are the consequences for Australians looking for a place to call home if the Housing Australia Future Fund is not established?

Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do want to thank the member for Hawke for his important question. He understands, as do most of the people on this side of the House, but, unfortunately, not everybody in the chamber, that many Australians are facing challenges as they try to find a safe, affordable place to call home. We know that some Australians are making some very tough decisions.

Michael Sukkar (Deakin, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Where's the Help to Buy program?

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for Deakin is warned.

Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australians are paying the price for the little action from the former government over almost a decade when it comes to housing affordability and housing supply. Our government, the Albanese Labor government, was elected with a plan: a plan to help tackle the housing challenges.

We said we would establish a $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund, and we've introduced that legislation. This will be the single biggest investment by a federal government in more than a decade in social and affordable housing in this country. It will create a secure pipeline of funding for social and affordable housing. It would be there in perpetuity, with returns being invested each and every year in social and affordable housing in this country.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Fairfax is warned.

Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's been called 'a golden opportunity' by the Urban Development Institute of Australia. 'With the measure introduced today'—this was when we introduced it last week—'we are structurally equipped to act,' said PowerHousing Australia. This will provide certainty to the housing sector and particularly the community housing sector, and, importantly, it will make a real difference to people's lives—

Opposition members int erjecting—

and those opposite apparently also know this.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The minister will resume her seat. There is now a general warning.

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is warned. When I'm speaking is definitely not the time to interject. I don't know how many times I have to say that. Ministers should be heard in silence. This is not a free-for-all. If people continue and simply disrespect the standing orders, they won't be here. I give the call to the Minister for Small Business, Housing and Homelessness.

Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I was saying, the member for Cowper over there wrote to me highlighting his concerns over 'housing affordability and availability'. The member for Lyne over there last year expressed to me concerns over the urgent need for housing for key workers. Of course, the member for Farrer just this morning said, 'I don't deny that there are housing pressures that Australians face.' They're all too happy to acknowledge the problem, but they don't want to support us when we're acting. They don't want to support us when it comes to delivering on our election commitment of a $10 billion fund.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Bowman is warned.

Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Indeed, the old 'noalition' over there are saying no to building more homes for women and children fleeing family violence, they're saying no to older women at risk of homelessness, they're saying no to building homes for veterans who are at risk of homelessness and they're saying no to building more homes for people in need right across the country.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Groom is warned.

Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think Australians today would be totally shocked to hear that those opposite are voting against these important investments in social and affordable housing for Australians that need it most.