Linda White (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Can the minister update the Senate on how the Albanese Labor government is delivering on its promise to build more homes for Australians through the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund? Can you please confirm the fund will create a secure ongoing pipeline of funding for social and affordable rental housing?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator White for her question and I thank her, not only for her continued support for more housing in Australia for Australians who need it but for her advocacy for social justice and equity for all of her working life including in this Senate. We do have an ambitious housing reform agenda and we welcome the new support for the Housing Australia Future Fund. We look forward to the Senate dealing with the legislation expeditiously.

This fund, the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund, will ensure there is consistent and ongoing funding for social and affordable rental housing. Returns from the fund will help deliver our commitment to 30,000 new social and affordable rental homes in the fund's first five years. And it will deliver the Albanese government's commitments to help address acute housing needs, including $200 million for the repair, maintenance and improvements of housing in remote Indigenous communities. It will provide $100 million for crisis and transitional housing options for women and children impacted by family violence and for older women, who, we know, are increasingly at risk of homelessness, and there will be funding to build housing for veterans who are experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness. We've announced additional funds of $1 billion to be invested in the National Housing Infrastructure Facility to support new homes.

So despite persistent ongoing and unconscionable opposition from those who presided over the housing crisis, we are now tackling the Liberals and Nationals, who sowed the seeds of housing crisis in their wasted decade in government, who neglected those most in need. Those on this side of the chamber are working to deliver more homes for Australians, something that you consistently oppose.

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

Senator White, a first supplementary?

Linda White (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank you, Minister, for the update. What other measures is the Albanese Labor government taking to ensure Australians, including renters, have a safe and affordable place to call home?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We know that renters are doing it tough. I want to emphasise that the 30,000 homes in the first five years of the Housing Australia Future Fund are rental homes—social and affordable rentable homes. We are providing additional funding on top of the Housing Australia Future Fund for social and affordable rental homes. We have worked with the states and territories on the National Housing Accord to build 1.2 million homes over the next five years. These are important measures that will put downward pressure on rental prices by increasing supply. We are also working with states and territories to secure a better deal for renters to improve renters rights across the country. This government is delivering the largest increase in Commonwealth rent assistance in more than 30 years, as well as working to get more Australians into home ownership with the expanded home guarantee—

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

Thank you, Minister. Senator White, a second supplementary?

Linda White (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia's peak housing and homelessness bodies have been steadfast in their support of the Albanese government's housing reforms. Can the minister explain why the sector wants all parliamentarians to pass the Housing Australia Future Fund bill?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is true that organisations working at the coalface of family violence—

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

I beg your pardon, Minister Wong. Senator Ruston?

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm seeking advice from you as to whether this question is in order.

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

Because?

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Because questions shall not be specifically going to the specifics of a matter that is currently before the chamber.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The supplementary question went to the attitudes of peak housing and homelessness bodies. I do understand why Senator Ruston is embarrassed about discussing this. I do understand why she finds it hard to defend their opposition to more homes.

Opposition senators interjecting—

I understand why they're all on their feet now, wanting to make sure they don't talk about hope.

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

Minister, please resume your seat. Senator McKenzie, I have Senator Ruston on her feet. I do accept that you were on your feet first, but I'm—

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Just a point of order—the minister was debating rather than actually addressing the—

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

Thank you, Senator McKenzie. Senator Ruston?

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm seeking to understand whether you are actually going to rule on my request.

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

Yes, I will. I always give leaders an opportunity to respond.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order across the chamber! Senator Ruston, I am advised that it needs to be far more directly related to the bill on foot, which that question is not. It's more of a broad interpretation. Senator Ruston?

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Could I ask, President, that you would actually seek to review the question that has been asked of the minister and reflect on your ruling, because I would draw to your attention that the question was very specific in its direction to the legislation currently before the chamber.

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

Thank you, Senator Ruston. As I indicated to the chamber, I sought the advice of the Clerk, and I have reiterated to the chamber the advice of the Clerk. But if it assists the chamber, I am always happy to review the question. We will continue the answer. Minister Wong.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you. I do understand why those opposite are embarrassed about their position on housing, which is what the intervention by the Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate demonstrated. They are so embarrassed about their position that they don't even want a government dixer on it. That is a new level of sensitivity from the opposition, and that is because their position is an unarguable position. It is an illogical position. Just ask Homelessness Australia's Kate Colvin, who said:

The homes delivered through the HAFF will each make an enormous difference to people who would otherwise be homeless.

Community Housing Industry Association's Wendy Hayhurst has spoken in support of this. The Master Builders Association have spoken out in support of this. The Urban Development Institute have spoken out in support of this. You are on your own in your relentless negativity and in your opposition to new houses. (Time expired)

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order across the chamber! That was very disorderly. Interjections across the chamber are particularly disorderly.