Maria Kovacic (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Reports today say the housing minister 'read the riot act to Housing Australia bureaucrats'. The HAFF scoreboard is not good. It has bought 889 homes, built none and, in some cases, is spending $1.3 million per dwelling—almost three times the average Australian cost to build one—all while Housing Australia faces accusations of severe governance dysfunction. Will the government admit that it has lost control of its housing agency?

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

The answer to the last part of that multifaceted question is no. I would also say that, as you know, Senator, this government is making it a priority to invest more in housing. I appreciate that has not been the position of the party of which you are a member, though you weren't a member of the relevant government. I would appreciate that you may not be aware of the history, but obviously we have a housing affordability challenge in this country. It is regrettable that over many years of coalition governments there was not federal government involvement in increasing supply. We are determined to change that.

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is just so untrue, Senator Wong!

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

You built 373 social and affordable houses in nine years, Senator Henderson. Why don't you stand up and defend 373 in nine years? I'm not going to let Senator Henderson disrupt your question, Senator Kovacic. The minister is very focused—

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Do not say something you know is not true!

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

Senator Henderson, I've called your name at least four times! Minister Wong, please continue.

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

The minister is very focused on making sure that we deliver our $43 billion housing plan as effectively and efficiently as possible. That is a good thing. It is a good thing for the country, for the economy and for people seeking to own their own home.

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

Senator Kovacic, first supplementary?

Maria Kovacic (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Why does the Albanese government continue to disobey Senate orders to make the $24,000 report into the governance dysfunction at Housing Australia public? What is the government trying to hide?

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

I'm not sure which of the many, many Senator Andrew Bragg OPDs you were referring to, but I can say that we have received multiple OPDs from Senator Bragg. I can say that, frankly, I don't think he is utilising that mechanism of the Senate with any seriousness. When governments get requests that are due that day, I think he knows—

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Disastrous economic policy!

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

Senator Henderson, I am trying to answer the question.

Andrew Bragg (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have a point of order on relevance. The question was: when will the government comply with the order?

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

The minister is being directly relevant to the question. Minister Wong, please continue.

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

I think I am being directly relevant. I do respect this institution, and I have used OPDs in opposition, too, but what we see from the opposition, and particularly Senator Bragg, is not a serious use of the Senate's powers.

Andrew Bragg (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Why are you covering it up?

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

You give us a day or less to provide— (Time expired)

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

Senator Kovacic, second supplementary?

Maria Kovacic (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government is spending $60 billion to build fewer homes than the previous coalition government. Will the Albanese Labor government apologise—

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

Senator Kovacic, please resume your seat. Minister Wong?

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

I would really appreciate it if you could start that again. Your colleague Senator Bragg was obviously very keen to talk about himself, but I'd quite like to hear your question.

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

Senator Kovacic, if you would start your question again, we'll start the clock again. Thank you.

Maria Kovacic (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government is spending $60 billion to build fewer homes than the previous coalition government. Will the Albanese Labor government apologise to Australians for making the housing crisis worse than ever?

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

Senator, you know that that statistic isn't true. The reality is you're comparing all houses built, including private construction, with what the government is contributing to. The people who wrote that question don't want to compare what your government supported with what ours supports, because the coalition government wasn't interested in supporting more housing. Let's be clear. What we have been very clear about is that we are delivering homes, building more homes and making it easier for first home buyers. We are cutting red tape, we are making it easier for builders to get on with the job, we are delivering social and affordable homes and we are delivering homes for first—

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

Are you? You're talking about it.

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

Senator Ruston, even though they are quiet interjections, I can still hear them and so can the minister.

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

We know that those opposite had a decade in office and they built 373 social and affordable homes. We have over 5,000 that have been completed under Commonwealth programs. (Time expired)