Senate debates

Thursday, 23 March 2023

Questions without Notice

Tasmania: Housing Australia Future Fund

2:33 pm

Photo of Tammy TyrrellTammy Tyrrell (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Housing, Senator Farrell, and it has no preamble. How many homes will Tasmania get under the Housing Australia Future Fund in the first five years?

2:34 pm

Photo of Don FarrellDon Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Tyrrell, for your interest in this initiative by the federal government to try to increase the number of and access to homes by ordinary Australians. Through a range of significant policy initiatives, we're ensuring that Australians have greater access not only to home ownership but also to greater rental affordability.

Photo of Tammy TyrrellTammy Tyrrell (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | | Hansard source

I have a point of order on relevance. I asked a very specific question.

Photo of Sue LinesSue Lines (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Tyrrell. I'll remind the minister of your question.

Photo of Don FarrellDon Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | | Hansard source

Unfortunately, as data has shown, in the period from 2016 to 2021, there was regrettably a substantial increase in Tasmanians experiencing homelessness, and I think this is really what your question is directed to. Tasmania has a strong community housing provider sector and has taken many opportunities provided by the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation. Of course—

Photo of Sue LinesSue Lines (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Minister, please resume your seat. Senator Tyrrell.

Photo of Tammy TyrrellTammy Tyrrell (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | | Hansard source

I know I'm new, but I thought it was a very plain question.

Photo of Sue LinesSue Lines (President) Share this | | Hansard source

I have directed the minister to your question, and I will direct him once again.

Photo of Don FarrellDon Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | | Hansard source

Just recently, Minister Collins was in Launceston with the community housing provider Community Housing Ltd to turn the sod on the site of 48 affordable new homes for Tasmanians in need. The Albanese government has unlocked up to $575 million in funding from the National Housing Infrastructure Facility to be able to invest in new social and affordable— (Time expired)

Photo of Sue LinesSue Lines (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Senator Tyrrell, first supplementary?

2:36 pm

Photo of Tammy TyrrellTammy Tyrrell (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | | Hansard source

The government's commitment that the Housing Australia Future Fund will make independent decisions is admirable. With that commitment in mind, who decided the fund would allocate 10,000 homes to frontline workers?

2:37 pm

Photo of Don FarrellDon Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Tyrrell, for the question. The issue you have raised was, of course, an election promise that the Albanese government took to the last election. So, in terms of who decided that issue, it was the Australian people, because the Australian people elected the Albanese government to be the government of this country. What we're doing now with our housing policies is implementing those decisions which we took to the people at the last election. In terms of who decided this, well, ultimately— (Time expired)

Photo of Sue LinesSue Lines (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Senator Tyrrell, second supplementary?

2:38 pm

Photo of Tammy TyrrellTammy Tyrrell (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | | Hansard source

On current projections, in the next five years 1,100 Tasmanians will be homeless. Does your government agree that reducing homelessness by building 1,200 homes in Tasmania is a good thing?

Photo of Don FarrellDon Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | | Hansard source

To be honest with you, Senator Tyrrell, I think you're just focusing on one small aspect of what the government is proposing to do. Let me tell you about some of the things this government is doing by comparison to what the previous government did not do: a $10 billion investment to improve housing outcomes in Australia; 20,000 social homes, including 4,000 homes for women and children impacted by domestic violence, and older women at risk of homelessness; 10,000 affordable homes for frontline workers; $30 million for housing and services for veterans; $200 million to repair, maintain and improve housing in remote Indigenous communities.

Photo of Sue LinesSue Lines (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Minister Farrell, please resume your seat. Senator Tyrrell.

Photo of Tammy TyrrellTammy Tyrrell (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | | Hansard source

I appreciate all that they are doing, but it was a very simple question, and I am here to represent Tasmania.

Photo of Sue LinesSue Lines (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Thank you. I will again direct the minister to your question.

Photo of Don FarrellDon Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | | Hansard source

Senator Tyrrell, all of those things are things that— (Time expired)