Andrew Bragg NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness
2:10 pm
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Minister, can you confirm that Australia completed 198,000 houses a year on average under the former coalition government, compared to 170,000 houses in the year to June 2024 under Labor? If not, what are the government's figures?
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
2:11 pm
Thank you, Senator Bragg. In anticipation that you might ask me some questions, I did get some information about what was particularly happening in your home state of New South Wales, and I thought it would be good—
Andrew Bragg NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness
That wasn't the question.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
I would hope that you would actually want to know—are you not interested in what happens in New South Wales? More than 40,000 Australians have bought their first home in New South Wales thanks to Labor's five per cent deposit scheme. More than 40,000—I'm surprised you're not interested.
Andrew Bragg NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness
On relevance, the question was about completions under the former government and under this government.
Sue Lines President
Thank you, Senator Bragg. I listened carefully to your question and I'm listening to the minister. As she's only just begun her answer, I'll continue listening carefully. If the minister doesn't address your question, I will draw her to the question.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
I can indicate that over 660,000 homes have been built since Labor was elected and that new home starts are up—26 per cent higher than a year ago. Approvals are up three years in a row and there are more first home buyers under Labor compared to the coalition. Those are figures—
I'm sorry?
Michaelia Cash WA, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
So completions are down?
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
What I would say to you, Senator, is that I'm advised that more have been built since we were elected, new home starts are up, approvals are up and construction cost inflation has been reduced—and, as importantly, more people are now owning their first home under our government as compared to the Liberal Party. I would hope that you would be very pleased that more than 40,000 Australians have now bought their first home in your home state of New South Wales, thanks to Labor's five per cent deposit scheme. We can provide you with more information around the 40,000 and where they are, and I'm sure Senator McAllister would be very happy to take you to some of the projects as well that we are supporting through the work that we are doing.
Andrew Bragg NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness
2:13 pm
They've gone down. Minister, can you confirm that housing completions under Labor have fallen to the lowest level in a decade? And, if not, what is the government's figure?
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
I'll take the interjection from the Leader of the Opposition. She made a suggestion about the government, and what I would say to her is that, unlike your government, we have actually invested in more houses. We actually have—
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Hon. Senators:
Honourable senators interjecting—
Sue Lines President
Order across the chamber! Senator Watt and Senator Cash! Senator Bragg has asked his question. He's entitled to an answer, but the minister's also entitled to take interjections. And senators should respect it when I call you to order.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
I would make the point that, under you, my recollection is you didn't invest in any housing. You come in worried about—
Michaelia Cash WA, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
You'll take credit for everything else.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Well, you didn't invest in any housing, and you did not invest in the drivers of housing supply. You believed—and you still assert this—that it should be just left to the private market. Well, we have a view that it is important for government to participate—
Andrew Bragg NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness
2:15 pm
Under Minister Clare O'Neil as housing minister, housing completions are at their lowest level in more than a decade. First home buyers are falling into negative equity. Renters are facing higher rents. Builders are warning projects won't proceed, as a record number of construction companies face insolvency. Is this what Minister Clare O'Neil considers to be a successful housing policy?
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
First, we recognise that the status quo in the housing market is not acceptable. That is why we have worked on both the supply side but also on the tax side—all of which you have opposed. Not only did you impose taxes, but you opposed the changes to taxation that actually gave first home buyers a crack at the market. You opposed the changes to tax—
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Hon. Senators:
Honourable senators interjecting—
Sue Lines President
Order! Minister McAllister, you were almost louder than the minister. I've asked for order across the chamber. That is what I expect. Minister Wong, please continue.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Senator, what I said to you is, for you, the status quo is fine. But I wonder who you've talked to. I wonder how many young Australians and how many first home buyers or people who aspire to be first home buyers you've actually spoken to. Because if you had, you wouldn't come in here and tell everybody it's all fine. You wouldn't come in here and say the five per cent deposit scheme is rubbish. You wouldn't come in here and say the tax changes are rubbish. (Time expired)
Sue Lines President
Senator Colbeck, I think I've called you every day for the last sitting period. There is no KPI to the number of interjections you can make. I've asked you I think every day this week not to interject, and you interjected constantly. I'm asking you again today. If you can't listen in silence, leave the chamber.