Jerome Laxale (Bennelong, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Labor took a suite of housing affordability policies to last year's election. We sought and received a mandate to deliver them—30,000 new affordable and social homes with the Housing Australia Fund and a further 10,000 with the National Housing Accord, supported by the states and territories. Our policies will provide more affordable and social housing for those who need it. That is why it is so outstanding to see the Greens political party side with the Liberals on our housing policies. The Greens' refusal to support this bill this fortnight puts them in lockstep with the Liberals. Their unholy coalition will only hurt the most vulnerable members in our community. It will now take longer to build homes for veterans and people fleeing domestic violence because of the Greens and the Liberals. It's so infuriating to see a political party that talks big game on housing and social justice not support this bill in the House and then delay it in the Senate.

Over the break I would encourage the leader of the Greens to take over negotiations with the government on this bill. Clearly, whatever the member for Griffith is doing is just not working. I'd encourage the Greens and the Liberals to listen to all the major community housing associations across the country, who all agree that this bill should be passed as a matter of urgency. Every day that the Greens and Liberals delay this bill is another day that hurts the most vulnerable in our community.

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

In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded.