The Albanese Government has used a rowdy question time to attack the Coalition for “letting Australians down” in failing to support their centrepiece housing policy. Source: News.com.au.
The Liberals and Nationals yesterday confirmed they would oppose the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund that Labor had promised during last year’s election campaign.
The decision means the Government will likely have to make changes to the policy in order to placate the Greens and the crossbench to get the legislation through the Senate.
As the Government sought to spruik the scheme and attack the Coalition for their lack of support yesterday afternoon, Speaker Milton Dick struggled to keep order, issuing warnings to at least three Coalition MPs.
Housing Minister Julie Collins told the chamber that Australians were paying the price for the little action of the former government in the housing affordability sphere.
She criticised the opposition for highlighting the cost-of-living crisis, yet not supporting the Government’s initiatives to tackle it.
“I think Australians will be shocked to hear those opposite are voting against these important investments in affordable housing for Australians who need it most,” Ms Collins said, citing women and children fleeing violence, older women and veterans at risk of homelessness.
The Coalition agreed in their joint party room meeting yesterday that it would not support the scheme.
The Liberals and Nationals will support the other two pillars of Labor’s housing policy — setting up a new National Housing Supply and Affordability Council to provide independent advice to government, and developing a new National Housing and Homelessness Plan.
FULL STORY
Labor Housing Future Fund: Anthony Albanese facing roadblocks in Senate (Catie McLeod and Ellen Ransley, NCA NewsWire via News.com.au)
