Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Every Australian, no matter where they live or what they earn, deserves the security of a place to call home, and we, on this side, acknowledge that. After nine long years of no housing policy under those opposite, finally, there is hope again for the would-be homeowners. Labor have not stood by and done nothing, like those opposite. We have a plan—a comprehensive, ambitious and practical plan—to build more homes, support renters and help more Australians achieve the dream of homeownership. Our vision is clear: to make housing more affordable and accessible and to ensure that everyone has a fair go in the housing market. We are investing in new homes across the country. We're supporting renters with fairer laws and greater protection. We're giving first home buyers a fighting chance to enter the market, and we are rebuilding our social housing system so that the most vulnerable Australians are not left behind, as they were in the almost decade under those opposite.

In stark contrast, the Liberal Party has no plan. For nine years, when they were in government, the coalition failed to deliver a single meaningful housing policy. They did not have a housing minister. That's how much importance they placed on housing. They come into this chamber with crocodile tears when they couldn't even appoint a housing minister for most of their time in office. When Australians cried out for action, they offered excuses. When real solutions were put forward, they chose to obstruct rather than support that legislation.

The Liberals and the Greens—Senator McKim's motion today is so hypocritical of him. He comes into this place—he was very happy to join with the Liberals and the Nationals to have no vote on our housing policy for the housing future fund, so we spent a week in this place having votes so we wouldn't have a vote on the legislation. For those in the Greens and in the opposition, it's very hypocritical to bring a motion like this when they have been the ones standing in the way. The Labor government invested $10 billion, and all they did was want to stall that and not vote against the legislation, for over a week, but vote not to have a vote. Their record is one of neglect, indifference and missed opportunities. While Australians struggled with sky-rocketing rents and housing shortages, the coalition sat on their hands and did nothing.

Labor is leading where the Liberals failed. Our $43 billion housing agenda is the most ambitious is the most ambitious in a generation. We're investing in homes, jobs and communities that will shape Australia's future. At the centre of this agenda is the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund, a landmark investment designed to build 55,000 new social and affordable homes in just five years. Social and affordable homes have been neglected not just by those opposite when they were in government but by the Tasmanian Liberal governments. They invested nothing in social and affordable homes. Senator McKim would know that as well, coming from Tasmania. Shame on them as well.

This wasn't just a promise. It was a plan of action that the Albanese government has now delivered. We are breaking ground with new developments. We are supporting communities. We are actually providing homes, and we're building more homes across every state and territory to make sure that we get real value for every dollar that we invest. We will deliver for those in need. The investment will create thousands of jobs in construction and related industries while ensuring that more Australians have a secure roof over their heads.

We have those people on the other side coming in and talking about transparency and policy, and what have we seen this week? We had Mr Wilson from the other place going on television talking up how you should be able to use your super to put down your deposit which is not what it was meant for. Then we had the great campaigner for using your super to put down a deposit on a house—because if you don't have a rich parent then, like Malcolm Turnbull said, you wouldn't get one—drop it. That's just gone. How many housing policies have they had this week? Where is their interest aligned? It's not with the Australia people. (Time expired.)