Carol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

That contribution showed you just how out of touch the opposition is. The contribution on housing ranged across a number of issues, but Senator Nampijinpa Price's reference to the Labor Party government was set nowhere in this century. I mean, it's seriously sad that someone gives a contribution like that, because the Albanese Labor government is acting on housing. We're making it easier to buy a home and fairer to rent a home, and we're building more homes across the country, including in my home state of Tasmania.

From 1 October this year, every homebuyer will be able to purchase a home with a deposit of just five per cent. The Commonwealth will guarantee part of their loan so they do not have to pay lenders mortgage insurance. That means thousands of young Tasmanians will get into the market years earlier. Over the next year alone, this will save first home buyers $1.5 billion in mortgage insurance costs. In Tasmania, almost 2,000 more Tasmanians have already gotten into their first homes under Labor's five per cent deposit policy. That is real practical help for young people in our state who might otherwise have missed out.

The real issue is supply, and that is exactly what Labor is addressing. Our $43 billion Homes for Australia plan is the boldest national housing plan since the post-war years. More than 5,000 homes have already been completed with Commonwealth investment, with another 25,000 in planning or construction, and we are delivering 5,000 social and affordable houses, with projects already underway in Tasmania. In Hobart's northern suburbs, Commonwealth funding is helping to deliver new affordable housing, giving families in Glenorchy, Goodwood and Moonah a real chance at a secure home. Thanks to the Housing Australia Future Fund alone, we are delivering more than 600 new social and affordable homes in Tasmania, with no thanks to those opposite, who blocked and delayed every single housing measure in the last term of parliament.

Senator Duniam may scoff over there, but they voted against every housing—