Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Polley for the question and also acknowledge her long advocacy for housing and housing support for people who are doing it tough in Tasmania. The Albanese government wants every Australian to have the security of having a roof over their head, and we know that too many Australians are being hit by growing rents and that there are those struggling to buy a home. And, sadly, there are far too many Australians who are facing homelessness.

Part of this situation was of course brought about by the decade of inaction and lack of leadership we had from those opposite when they were in power. But we were elected with a plan to clean up the mess that was left behind and deal with some of the country's housing challenges where we can. Fundamental to our plan is increasing the supply of new housing, and the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund will be the largest boost to social and affordable housing in a decade. The homes that will be delivered through the fund over the first five years are one part of our ambitious housing agenda, which also includes broadening the National Housing Infrastructure Facility, the Housing Accord, the $1.6 billion per annum National Housing and Homelessness Agreement, the Interim National Housing Supply and Affordability Council, and a new National Housing and Homelessness Plan. We'll also implement the Help to Buy Scheme and the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee.

Again, it is something that will come to this chamber as part of this fortnight, and we are hoping we can have the support of the whole chamber in making sure we are supporting the injection of resources and capacity into the social and affordable housing sector. It's important for women fleeing domestic violence. It's important for single women who are at risk of homelessness. It's important for veterans who are facing homelessness. I think this is a bill that we need to pass through the Senate, hopefully with the support of everybody.