Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

As there are no other colleagues seeking the call, I will sum up and thank colleagues who have contributed to the debate on the Treasury Laws Amendment (Housing Tax Integrity) Bill 2017 and the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment (Vacancy Fees) Bill 2017.

As a government, we are committed to ensuring that home ownership is achievable for Australians and that they have access to secure, stable and affordable housing across the spectrum. The changes contained in these bills are part of the government's 2017-18 budget package to reduce pressure on housing affordability. Two of the measures will improve the integrity of Australia's tax system by better targeting tax deductions relating to residential investment properties. The other measure aims to increase the availability of foreign-owned residential real estate. The vacancy charge will support the government's foreign investment regime, which seeks to increase the number of houses available for Australians to live in. I commend these bills to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bills read a second time.