David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Housing, Senator Farrell. This week is National Homelessness Week, which draws attention to the over a hundred thousand people who experience homelessness tonight and every night this week. In places like the ACT the dangers of homelessness, especially for rough sleepers, are particularly acute in winter. Could the minister provide an update on progress in the development of the promised national housing strategy?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Pocock for his question about what is obviously a very serious issue not just in the ACT, which he referred to, but across the country. What the Labor Party has inherited after nine years of neglect on this subject matter is a very serious situation. The decision today by the Reserve Bank to increase interest rates certainly hasn't made that issue any easier to deal with.

Thanks for that intervention.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Farrell, direct your questions to the chair, please.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm quite capable of answering the question without any support, particularly from you. Look, there's a serious issue here. Senator Pocock has raised a serious issue. And I'd like—

David Van (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Why don't you answer it?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have been answering it.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Farrell, please direct your questions to the President, not across the chamber.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What we've seen is a legacy of inaction on the part of the previous government, and it's the intention of this government to—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Lambie, a point of order?

Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My point of order goes to relevance. It's nice to go and blame the government during all that time you've chewed up. But with all due respect, if you could answer Senator Pocock's question that would be wonderful. You two can go and play all the games you like, but we'd like an answer.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'll remind the minister of the question.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In stark contrast to what the opposition did in its time in government, Australia has finally got a government—(Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Pocock, first supplementary?

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My last question was for an update on the progress in the development of the promised national housing strategy. The first supplementary is about the commitment to build 30,000 new social and affordable homes over the next year. Noting the urgency of this task, when can we expect to see enabling legislation introduced and construction actually start?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think we should start by pointing out that one of the first things that the Albanese government did when we came to power was, for the first time, incorporate into cabinet the position of minister for housing and homelessness.

You're asking a question about what we're planning to do. I'd start by suggesting that the decision to put that portfolio into cabinet is a very good start in dealing with these serious issues. We've got a very significant and a very strong reform agenda. You've mentioned some of the projects that we're planning to implement.

Opposition Senator:

An opposition senator interjecting—

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, we've been in government two months. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Pocock, second supplementary?

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Will the government consider wiping the historic $100 million ACT housing debt, as it has previously done for Tasmania and South Australia, to immediately free up funds that can be invested in building more social housing?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Pocock for his supplementary question. That particular issue is not an issue in the purview of the Minister for Housing; of course, it's an issue for the Treasurer to deal with. But I'm very happy to have a chat to him about that issue, and I'll come back to you with a response.