Richard Dowling (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is not my first speech but it's my first question to the Minister representing the Minister for Housing, Senator Ayres. The Albanese Labor government was re-elected with a mandate to build more homes and make it easier for Australians to buy them. But in my home state—

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

Minister Wong, on a point of order?

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

There is a courtesy that is usually extended to the first question, Senator McKenzie.

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

Just before Senator Wong rose to her feet, I was going to remind the chamber the senator has advised the chamber it is his first question. In fact, all senators should be afforded silence when they ask their questions and, in particular, those that ask a first question. Please continue, Senator Dowling.

Richard Dowling (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, President. In my home state of Tasmania, I often hear from young people who, despite working hard, find it impossible to save the 20 per cent deposit they need to buy their first home. How is the government making it easier for more Australians to buy their first home?

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

Thank you, Senator Dowling. Minister Ayres.

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm learning, President: I'll only get up when you tell me to get up! I want to thank Senator Dowling for that question. As he said, it's not his first speech. His first speech is this evening, and I'll be here. I'm very much looking forward to it.

It is a familiar story: young Australians all over Australia, including in Tasmania, working hard and trying to save, save for a deposit, but homeownership only moves further out of reach for them. For many young people, it has felt—until the last election—impossible for them to buy their first home without help from their parents or without support.

Saving up to 20 per cent of the price of a house for a deposit is a massive hurdle for young Australians, particularly if you are already renting year after year, paying somebody else's mortgage. That's why the Albanese Labor government promised that all Australians will be able to buy their first home with a deposit of just five per cent. That will be the case for every first home buyer in Australia from 1 October this year. That is the Albanese government delivering on what it promised to do in the election, and delivering early for young Australians. Thirty-seven days from today, homeownership will be achievable again for young Australians.

This is about fairness and making sure that everyone has the chance to buy their own place, to buy their own home. It's not the totality of the government's measures, but it's an important measure, and it sends a practical message of hope for young Australians.

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

Senator Dowling, first supplementary?

Richard Dowling (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Increasing the supply of housing is a priority for the Albanese Labor government and central to the government's $43 billion housing agenda. Why will this ensure the housing market works better for all Australians, especially renters and first home buyers?

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator, thank you very much for that supplementary question. What you can see from the caterwauling from down here, there and there is that they haven't learnt, they haven't learnt and they haven't learnt from what happened in the last election. We are about delivering for young Australians and Australians who are trying to find their own home, whether it's to rent or whether it's to buy.

Opposition Senator:

An opposition senator interjecting—

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will get to you in a moment, sunshine. Your contribution—

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

Minister Ayres, I'm not sure who that was directed to, but it was inappropriate, so please withdraw.

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will withdraw unreservedly.

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

Could I seek your ruling on whether a withdrawal is sufficient or whether an apology may not be more appropriate.

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

Senator Ruston, I wish there were no name-calling in this place, because it's disrespectful. Minister Ayres has withdrawn.

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Really dragging us back to the dark ages of housing policy. We know what demand-side-only housing policy meant. It meant rising prices. Senator Bragg said—this was probably on Sky last night—it was possible the approach he helped to craft did too much on the demand side and could have pushed up prices. The relentless negativity—I'll come to the rest of it in a tick, I suppose.

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

Thank you, Minister Ayres.

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

You have time to practise your answers.

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

Senator McKenzie, you do not have the call. If you can't listen in silence, leave the chamber. Senator Dowling, second supplementary?

Richard Dowling (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government has committed to making it easier for Australians to rent. Industry expects the government's build-to-rent legislation will deliver 80,000 new rental properties. What challenges does the government face in implementing this program?

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McKenzie says I should practise, and maybe I should. What I do is just answer the questions, and it's a very good question from Senator Dowling. Build to rent will deliver 80,000 new high-quality homes just for renters. It's us delivering on what we said we would do. Senator Bragg said this was a nightmare, a foreign investor tax cut, but it's the same guy who said:

… everyone needs to support the supply of new housing, it's an urgent issue for young people and it's an intergenerational fairness issue …

Well, this is the same Senator Bragg who later today will move a motion to disallow build to rent. He was going to do it last night, but this is what has happened to the moderates in the New South Wales Liberals. He didn't want to do it because he wanted to go on Sky to shoot his mouth of with more negativity about housing policy.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Order! We have now moved on! Senator Lambie.