David Pocock ACT, Independent
5:15 pm
My question is for the Minister representing the Minister for Housing, Minister Farrell. On 8 October 2024, in response to my question on the progress of the National Housing and Homelessness Plan, you said:
We are working with the states and territories as we speak. The new minister, Clare O'Neil, is working very hard to get movement on that project.
I, again, asked for an update in February this year. We're now in October, and the plan has still not been released. Can the minister tell the Senate when the plan will be released.
Sue Lines President
Senator Pocock, I think you directed your question to Senator Farrell. I'm happy to ask the senator to—
David Pocock ACT, Independent
I may have got it wrong. Is it Minister Ayres?
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
It's Minister Ayres.
Tim Ayres NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation
5:16 pm
This government has an ambitious program for housing. It's worth many tens of billions of dollars. It's focused on supply, and it's also focused on supplying people with the opportunity—young Australians—for five per cent home deposits, and we're getting on with it.
David Pocock ACT, Independent
I appreciate the many things that the Labor government is doing in terms of housing, but one of them that we haven't seen is the National Housing and Homelessness Plan, which was promised at the 2022 election. I was hoping the minister could give an update to the Senate as to when that will be finalised.
Tim Ayres NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation
5:17 pm
The minister is working hard on that process. There was a consultation process, which is ongoing, with 1,700 participants, and that process will continue until we're confident that we've got the cooperation across the economy and with the states and territories that's required to deal with the challenge.
David Pocock ACT, Independent
Minister, I've heard from stakeholders who are concerned that there may never be a national housing and homelessness plan. Can the Labor government commit today that there will, in fact, be one by the end of this term?
Tim Ayres NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation
5:18 pm
Well, that's a document. Our plan is to get on with $43 billion to address housing availability and affordability, helping people with lower home deposits, smaller mortgages and 100,000 new homes just for first home buyers.
Karen Grogan SA, Australian Labor Party
I seek leave to ask a question on behalf of the great state of South Australia, noting I will be the third person to have an attempt at getting a question asked on behalf of the good people of South Australia this afternoon. My question, should leave be granted, is related to Digital ID and how it will assist renters.
Leave not granted.