Libby Coker (Corangamite, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Raise Our Voice in Parliament competition has once again proven to be a resounding success. In my electorate of Corangamite, we received outstanding submissions from young people across the Bellarine, Surf Coast and Geelong region—young people with strong, clear views on the most consequential issues facing Australians. Today I am proud to share one of those voices.

Jessie is 20 years old. I've met them several times, and I know how deeply they care about people who need a safe place to call home. Jessie wrote:

In the last 2 years I have moved 7 times.

I have spent time on the streets, in motels and in share houses that nearly cost me my life.

Building houses, apartments, townhouses or modular housing, and having the right supports around people could help save multiple lives, but we need your help.

Young people are begging for a safe place to call home, and youth homelessness is on the rise, we need to act now because housing is a basic human right that everyone deserves.

Jessie's word speak to a reality of many young Australians. Australia is in the middle of a housing crisis 40 years in the making. For four decades, our country hasn't built enough homes or done enough for first home buyers.

The Albanese government recognises this and is acting. We're tackling the crisis from every angle, with the boldest housing agenda since the postwar period. We are delivering our $43 billion housing package focused on three pillars: building more homes, a better deal for renters and helping more Australians into homeownership. Already, more than 180,000 Australians have bought their first home with government support. Nearly one million households are benefiting from the 50 per cent increase to Commonwealth Rent Assistance. Half a million homes have been built since we came to office, and 28,000 social and affordable homes are in planning or construction, because the only real long-term solution is to build, and that's exactly what the Albanese government is doing.

Finally, can I thank every young person who made a contribution to Raise Our Voice. To my electorate and across the country, your voice matters. Our government hears you. Together we can build a better future where every Australian has a safe place to call home.

Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with standing order 193, the time for members' constituency statements has concluded.