This bill became law on Sep 28th, 2023.
Welfare & housing
Australia now has an independent National Housing Supply and Affordability CouncilThe new independent body this bill creates to give the federal government advice and reports on housing supply and housing costs. to give the federal government expert advice on housing supply and housing costs.
Housing supply and affordability pressures left the federal government without an independent body giving expert advice and regular national data on rents, homelessness and new housing. This bill creates that council, lets it investigate problems, report each year, and advise on housing funding and policy.
After the former National Housing Supply Council was abolished, Australia’s housing policy lacked a dedicated independent national body tracking supply and affordability just as governments were setting new housing targets and the rental market, homelessness and cost pressures were worsening. The bill responded by creating a statutory council to give expert advice and publish regular national reporting, and after it became law the new council’s first major warning was that Australia was on track to fall nearly 300,000 homes short of the government’s 1.2 million-home target.
The main criticism was that an advisory council by itself would not fix the housing crisis, and that the wider package relied too much on a capped, market-driven funding model instead of larger direct investment and stronger renter protections. That sharper objection came mainly from the Greens, while several independents and Coalition speakers still backed the bill but wanted tighter safeguards, clearer governance or broader representation.
Julie Collins MP introduced this bill. In the recorded Senate second-reading vote, support came from Labor, Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, some crossbenchThe non-government, non-opposition members of Parliament, including independents and minor party MPs. members; opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, One Nation, UAP, some crossbenchThe non-government, non-opposition members of Parliament, including independents and minor party MPs. members.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 28 Sept 2023
Final passage
No counted final vote
2 recorded votes on the bill were found earlier in passage, but the final chamber agreement was not a counted division.
Passage speed
231 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
Australia now has an independent National Housing Supply and Affordability CouncilThe new independent body this bill creates to give the federal government advice and reports on housing supply and housing costs. to give the federal government expert advice on housing supply and housing costs.
The National Housing Supply and Affordability CouncilThe new independent body this bill creates to give the federal government advice and reports on housing supply and housing costs. can investigate housing pressures itself, advise ministers on housing issues, and help shape how much Housing Australia Future FundA federal housing funding pool that the council helps inform by advising on how much money should go to housing each year. money and Housing AustraliaThe federal housing agency that works with the council and helps deliver housing programs and funding. funding is allocated each year.
The National Housing Supply and Affordability CouncilThe new independent body this bill creates to give the federal government advice and reports on housing supply and housing costs. must track housing conditions like home ownership, rents, homelessness and new social and affordable homes, and work with governments and others to improve national housing data.
The National Housing Supply and Affordability CouncilThe new independent body this bill creates to give the federal government advice and reports on housing supply and housing costs. must publish a yearly report on housing supply and affordability research, giving the public a regular update on the state of housing.
Council members must collectively bring a balanced mix of housing expertise, with disability accessibility and regional, rural and remote housing among the eligible fields, and the Act must be reviewed after 1 July 2026.
This Act establishes the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council as an independent advisory body to the Commonwealth Government on matters relating to housing supply and affordability.National Housing Supply and Affordability Council Act 2023 final Act text
(c) to advise the Minister in relation to the total amount of grants of financial assistance to be made under subsections 18(1) and (3) of the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023 in a financial year;National Housing Supply and Affordability Council Act 2023 final Act text
(i) monitoring conditions in the housing system that impact housing supply and affordability, including in relation to home ownership, rental affordability, homelessness and the number of new social and affordable houses being built annually; andNational Housing Supply and Affordability Council Act 2023 final Act text
(b) published on the Council’s website.National Housing Supply and Affordability Council Act 2023 final Act text
The Minister must ensure that the appointed members collectively have an appropriate balance of qualifications, skills or experience in the fields mentioned in subsection (2).National Housing Supply and Affordability Council Act 2023 final Act text
Context
After the former National Housing Supply Council was abolished, Australia’s housing policy lacked a dedicated independent national body tracking supply and affordability just as governments were setting new housing targets and the rental market, homelessness and cost pressures were worsening. The bill responded by creating a statutory council to give expert advice and publish regular national reporting, and after it became law the new council’s first major warning was that Australia was on track to fall nearly 300,000 homes short of the government’s 1.2 million-home target.
Former National Housing Supply Council is abolished
An AFR report later noted Australia had lacked the former council’s dedicated national housing supply analysis since the Coalition abolished it in 2013.
Australian Financial Review ↗National Housing Accord sets a target for 1 million homes
The Albanese government struck an accord with states and territories to free up land and build 1 million homes in five years, putting housing supply back at the centre of federal policy.
Australian Financial Review ↗Treasury releases draft laws for a new housing council
Treasury opened consultation on the housing legislative package, including the bill to establish the National Housing Supply and Affordability CouncilThe new independent body this bill creates to give the federal government advice and reports on housing supply and housing costs. as part of the government’s housing agenda.
Treasury ↗Record-low rental vacancy and rising rents sharpen the housing crisis
During debate on the bill, MPs cited a national rental vacancy rate of 0.9 per cent and rents up 8.2 per cent as evidence that housing affordability pressures were intensifying.
Hansard ↗National Housing Supply and Affordability CouncilThe new independent body this bill creates to give the federal government advice and reports on housing supply and housing costs. Act receives Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament.
Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament. completed the bill’s passage and established the council in law as an independent advisory body on housing supply and affordability.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Council warns Australia will miss the 1.2 million-home target
The council’s first State of the Housing System reportThe council's annual-style national report that tracks housing supply, affordability, rents, and related pressures. forecast a shortfall of nearly 300,000 homes by 2029, showing the supply gap the new body had been created to track.
Australian Financial Review ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second readingThe stage where Parliament debates the broad idea of a bill, and where senators or MPs can move a formal statement or amendment., opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second readingThe stage where Parliament debates the broad idea of a bill, and where senators or MPs can move a formal statement or amendment. moved
Referred to Committee (09/02/2023): Senate Economics Legislation Committee; Committee report (22/03/2023)
Referred to committee
APH bill page notesThe bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second readingThe stage where Parliament debates the broad idea of a bill, and where senators or MPs can move a formal statement or amendment., meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second readingThe stage where Parliament debates the broad idea of a bill, and where senators or MPs can move a formal statement or amendment. agreed to
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
Consideration in detail debate
The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.
Consideration in detail debate
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber. Later message exchanges with the other chamber were still recorded afterwards.
Third reading agreed to
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second readingThe stage where Parliament debates the broad idea of a bill, and where senators or MPs can move a formal statement or amendment., opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second readingThe stage where Parliament debates the broad idea of a bill, and where senators or MPs can move a formal statement or amendment. moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Recorded vote: 34 to 27.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second readingThe stage where Parliament debates the broad idea of a bill, and where senators or MPs can move a formal statement or amendment., meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second readingThe stage where Parliament debates the broad idea of a bill, and where senators or MPs can move a formal statement or amendment. agreed to
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
Committee of the Whole debate
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The House dealt with Senate amendments or requests so both chambers could settle the bill in the same form.
Consideration of Senate message
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main criticism was that an advisory council by itself would not fix the housing crisis, and that the wider package relied too much on a capped, market-driven funding model instead of larger direct investment and stronger renter protections. That sharper objection came mainly from the Greens, while several independents and Coalition speakers still backed the bill but wanted tighter safeguards, clearer governance or broader representation.
No party represented in the debate opposed the council itself except the Greens’ broader objection to the package.
Advisory body without enough direct action
Critics argued the bill set up another advisory body without committing the scale of direct spending and policy change needed, warning the broader housing package could leave the social housing shortage worse rather than better.
Too reliant on market-style funding settings
The strongest substantive case against the package was that it relied on a capped, market-driven fund rather than guaranteed annual public investment, with critics saying that approach was too weak for the scale of the housing shortage.
Safeguards and governance were seen as thin
Some supporters said the council bill needed stronger governance, clearer roles and better oversight so it would not become a weak or symbolic body with too little accountability.
Representation gaps in the council’s design
Several MPs warned the council could miss important housing pressures unless its membership and remit explicitly covered regional Australia, disability accessibility and practical industry experience.
Further sources
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices. The counted divisions below were about amendments or procedure, not final passage.
House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Passed 35 to 27. Support came from Labor, Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, One Nation, UAP, and minor parties and independents.
Passed 34 to 27. Support came from Labor, Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, One Nation, UAP, and minor parties and independents.
Amendments grouped by chamber. These cards include amendment outcomes recorded without a counted division.
House
Passed 74 to 17. Support came from Labor and Liberal Party. Opposition came from Greens, Centre Alliance, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
The vote kept those Indi amendments out of the bill before it moved to the next consideration-in-detail question.
Passed 71 to 63. Support came from Labor. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Greens, Nationals, Centre Alliance, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
The vote kept the Fowler amendment out of the bill, after which the House agreed to the bill as amended.
The APH progress record says 2 CrossbenchThe non-government, non-opposition members of Parliament, including independents and minor party MPs. amendments were agreed without a counted division being collected by this run.
Carried on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
The House agreed to the amendments made by the Senate, so the bill could pass both chambers in the same form.
Carried on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
Senate
Defeated 11 to 29. Support came from Greens. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, One Nation, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents.
This was a second-reading statement vote, so it tested support for a housing policy call rather than changing the bill text. The amendment was defeated 11-29.
Moved by Malcolm Roberts (Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party). Defeated 3 to 36. Support came from One Nation and UAP. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents.
This was a second-reading statement vote, so it expressed a political position rather than directly amending the bill. The amendment was defeated 3-36.
Passed 33 to 25. Support came from Labor, Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, One Nation, UAP, and minor parties and independents.
This added disability accessibility to the list of expertise fields; the separate government commencement amendment had already been agreed on voices.
Defeated 28 to 34. Support came from Liberal Party, Nationals, One Nation, UAP, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, and Jacqui Lambie Network.
This committee vote would have tightened the council's membership rules to require regional housing experience, but the amendment package was defeated 28-34.
The Senate agreed to a government amendment making the council Act commence 90 days after Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament..
Carried on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
The Senate defeated Senator Thorpe's proposal on voices, which called for talks on no-grounds eviction limits, stronger First Nations tenancy support, a halt to public housing sales, more public housing, and support for co-operative housing.
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
The Senate Journal records this outcome as defeated on voices.
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
This list includes amendment votes, procedural votes and votes on the bill itself.
The parliamentary record also shows 2 Crossbench amendments agreed without a counted division.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Julie Collins supports the bill, saying it creates an independent housing council to give the government expert advice, research and reporting on housing supply and affordability.
Read in Hansard ↗Chandler-Mather opposes the bill and moves a substitute second readingThe stage where Parliament debates the broad idea of a bill, and where senators or MPs can move a formal statement or amendment. motion because he says it does nothing for renters, locks in a capped level of housing spending, and will make the housing crisis worse.
Read in Hansard ↗Sukkar says the opposition will support the National Housing Supply and Affordability CouncilThe new independent body this bill creates to give the federal government advice and reports on housing supply and housing costs. bill because the council can help by setting land-supply targets with the states and collecting consistent national housing data.
Read in Hansard ↗Haines supports the National Housing Supply and Affordability CouncilThe new independent body this bill creates to give the federal government advice and reports on housing supply and housing costs. Bill and says it is part of much-needed housing reform, but she wants it strengthened so regional, rural and remote Australia are explicitly considered.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
33 speakers · 36 contributions · 32 support · 1 mixed
“The Bill forms part of the Housing Legislative Package, which delivers on key components of the Government's ambitious election commitments on housing. Public consultation on the draft legislation attracted feedback from a broad range of stakeholders, including community housing providers, industry bodies, advocacy groups, research bodies, and state and territory organisations.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“These bills before us are a key election commitment. The supply council in essence is a role that the Commonwealth can take—if you like, the convening power of the Commonwealth to get the states and territories together and to hold that mirror to reflect in an honest, balanced way what's happening with supply. We did have efforts on supply under the former Labor government, but of course Tony Abbott got elected and abolished them all. This time—I think sensibly—we are reinstituting this as a statutory authority to make it a lot harder should—woe betide the country—the Liberals get elected again one day. It will be harder for them to wind this back. It needs to be entrenched permanently, and this bill will do that.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The National Housing Supply and Affordability Council Bill 2023 establishes the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council as an independent statutory advisory body. The council will inform the Commonwealth's approach to housing policy by delivering independent advice to the government on housing supply and affordability. I am pleased that the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council will play a leadership role in bringing all levels of government together to work through the myriad issues and get that boost in affordable and social housing happening where it is needed most.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The housing council bill establishes the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council. This will be an independent statutory advisory body which will inform the government's approach to housing policy by delivering independent advice on housing supply and affordability.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We've gone on to establish the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council and we've given it the status of an independent statutory advisory body. The council has a critical role. It's going to inform the Commonwealth's approach to housing policy by delivering independent advice to the government on housing supply and affordability, and that will assist renters. So any discussion here in the chamber that tries to suggest one party as the champions of renters is creating a myth that should not be allowed to stand. Supply is the answer for everybody in Australia who needs a house, whether it's one that they purchased through a mortgage, one that they live in mortgage-free, one that they aspire to have and are saving towards or one that they live in as a renter.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“As I've said before, this bill is about more than just bricks and mortar. It's about building safe and secure affordable housing for those who need it most, with services and assistance that will actively prevent homelessness and the risk of homelessness. I will be proudly voting in support of this legislation. I call on those in the coalition opposition, the Greens and the broader crossbench to vote in support of this legislation. Failure to do so would be a massive step backwards for housing security in this country. Stop the politicking. Stop the attempts to delay its implementation. We've waited nine years; we can't waste another day.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“These bills establish the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund. The fund will make annual disbursements of at least $500 million a year to finance the construction of new homes. In the first five years of the fund, that means the construction of 20,000 social homes, 4,000 of which will be reserved for women and children leaving domestic and family violence and older women on lower incomes who are at risk of homelessness. On top of those 20,000 social homes, it will also fund 10,000 affordable homes for frontline workers like police, allied health workers, nurses and cleaners—the people who are providing the most essential services in our community but increasingly cannot even afford to live in these communities.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Nita Green on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Green says Labor supports the bill as a key part of its housing reform agenda and argues the Greens should not block it because doing so would stop new homes being built. She says the legislation is an important response to the housing and affordability crisis and works alongside broader government investment in social and affordable housing.
“The Greens need to understand that sitting with the Liberals, as they plan to do, and blocking this bill won't build any new houses. It will actually stop homes from being built. Moving motions to suspend standing orders won't build more houses for women fleeing domestic violence. It won't build more homes; it will only stop houses being built.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Nita Green says Labor supports the bill and accuses the Greens and Coalition of blocking it with political games. She argues it is needed to deliver affordable and social housing, domestic violence housing, Indigenous remote repairs and housing for veterans.
“I'm very pleased in the very short time that I have to finish my contribution by again explaining to those watching that what we have seen in this chamber every single day this week is the Greens political party teaming up with the Liberal Party, the National Party and, today, One Nation to block and filibuster this bill to make sure that we don't vote on affordable and social housing. This is a bill that will provide 30,000 homes, affordable and social housing, something that we know people desperately need. This is what we have seen every single day this week—teaming up to stop this bill with the Liberal and National parties. That's what we've seen from the Greens.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“Along with the Future Fund, we are widening the remit of the National Housing Infrastructure Facility and the legislation also establishes the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council to provide independent advice to government on options to increase housing supply and affordability.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Helen Polley on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Polley supports the bill and says it shows the Albanese Labor government is committed to safe, secure and affordable housing. She argues it will help people who need affordable social housing, especially vulnerable groups facing housing insecurity and rising rents.
“I rise to speak on the Housing Australia Future Fund Bill 2023, the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council Bill 2023 and the Treasury Laws Amendment (Housing Measures No. 1) Bill 2023. These bills display once again that the Albanese Labor government is committed to ensuring that Australians have access to safe, secure and affordable housing.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Polley supports the bill and says it is a needed response to the housing crisis, because it will help deliver more social and affordable homes for Tasmanians and other Australians. She argues the reform is long overdue after years of Liberal neglect and should help vulnerable people, including those facing homelessness and domestic violence.
“These bills will make a real difference in the lives of thousands of Tasmanians. The wait time for social housing in Tasmania has blown out because we simply do not have enough houses to meet the demand. In places around Australia that are facing the same problem, this suite of bills will help to combat this.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“The National Housing Supply and Affordability Council Bill 2023 will establish the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council as an independent statutory advisory body. Establishing the council will help the Commonwealth play a leadership role in tackling the housing challenges facing Australia.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Housing Australia Future Fund Bill 2023, the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council Bill 2023 and the Treasury Laws Amendment (Housing Measures No.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“So I do commend the bill to the House, and I ask the parliament to vote for it. I ask the whole of the parliament to vote for it, because it is doing the right thing—not the perfect thing but the right thing—by Australians.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“What we have here is the single biggest investment in social and affordable housing in more than a decade. I'm so proud to be a part of the Albanese Labor government that is delivering these initiatives and this particular bill. I commend the minister, Julie Collins, the member for Franklin in my home state of Tasmania, for the work that she has put in to deliver this bill and also the other raft of initiatives that will deliver homes to vulnerable people. On the Labor side, we know that far too many Australians are struggling to access a safe and affordable place to call home. Secure, safe housing isn't the reality for so many.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This legislation implements the government's commitments to establish the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund, to provide a stream of funding to ensure that there is a pipeline for new social and affordable housing for Australians in need. It's going to transform NHFIC, the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation, into Housing Australia, the national home for key housing programs—a much-needed change. It will make sure we expand activities into those at-risk areas, and it will establish the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council to provide independent advice to government—'independent' being the key word there—on ways that we can increase housing supply and housing affordability, because we all know in this place that we need more independence and transparency, particularly when it comes to government policy.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I'm proud to be part of a government that intends to make a fundamental difference to the people of our nation who are willing to put the time in and who have worked so hard on these reforms. It's about making a difference to housing and putting roofs over people's heads. We have done this in partnership with so many organisations who have advocated for these reforms, investments and policy changes. All of us in the Senate now have an opportunity to back this package—a package that contains what so many experts and housing organisations have called for for a great many years. Together we can reshape Australia's housing policy, setting in place a legacy where the Commonwealth understands its place in working with the states to ensure that every Australian has suitable, affordable housing that provides them a life and a benchmark for dignity.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The magnitude of the housing crisis is the clarion call to action which successive Liberal-Nationals governments failed to heed. We in the Albanese government are geared for action on this front because a home, as I said in my maiden speech, is like the warmth of a million suns. Let's bring our people out of the shadows and into the light. I commend the bills to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I would ask those opposite and those on the crossbench: if you care about the community, about those experiencing homelessness or housing stress, about women escaping domestic violence, about veterans who have served our country, about remote Aboriginal communities, about frontline workers, then vote for the bill. Vote for this bill that will increase supply at the bottom of the market for those groups who most need it.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We need to make sure that we're providing more support not only for veterans who find themselves in these situations but for Australians more broadly. And that is what this bill is all about. It represents the Albanese Labor government's commitment to ensure that this government does all it can to provide that fundamental, basic human right that Australians need and deserve and should expect from government—a reasonably priced roof over their heads for themselves and their families. That is, importantly, what this particular bill will help us build into the future.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“In this bill are the first steps to shift things so that the inequity that currently exists can be transformed.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The legislation will establish the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council, which will be an independent statutory advisory body. Such a body is necessary to provide independent expert advice to the government and the minister on housing supply and how affordability and supply can be improved. The council will provide advice on the allocation of returns from the Housing Australia Future Fund. It will also help the Commonwealth play a leadership role in addressing the housing challenges facing Australia.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“It is not just the Libs. I hear that the unholy alliance between the Greens political party and the Liberals might be back. I hope not. It seems that if the Greens want to make an enemy of the good, which is part of their MO, they might seek to sink the $10 billion investment in affordable housing. That is not coming into this place to build, to be constructive; it is coming into this place to wreck. I'm shocked they might be happy to join the coalition in opposing this bill. The simple truth for the Greens party is that they talk big on housing, but the rubber hits the road here when they vote on the reality of impacting millions of Australian and their access to housing. We will negotiate with them as we always do. We will even, in good faith, negotiate with the opposition if they are willing to talk about amendments. I urge the Greens not to join up with the coalition to kill this bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Abbott government abolished the National Housing Supply Council. The council, established in 2008 under the Rudd Labor government, was there to monitor housing demand, supply and affordability in Australia. It gave us a better understanding of the problem. That council and those insights—now gone.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The National Housing Supply and Affordability Council Bill 2023 establishes the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council as an independent statutory advisory body with independence a central feature of its operation. The council will inform the Commonwealth's approach to housing policy by delivering independent advice to the government on housing supply and affordability. Establishing the council will ensure that the Commonwealth can play a leadership role in improving housing supply and affordability.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We have not been sitting still while negotiating for passage of the bills that are before this chamber today.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Julie Collins on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Julie Collins supports the bill, saying it creates an independent housing council to give the government expert advice, research and reporting on housing supply and affordability. She says it is part of the government's housing package and will help improve national data and support the wider housing plan.
“The National Housing Supply and Affordability Council Bill 2023 (bill) establishes the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council (council) as an independent statutory advisory body. The council will inform the Commonwealth's approach to housing policy by delivering independent advice to the government on housing supply and affordability.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Collins supports the bill, saying it will establish an independent council to give government advice on housing supply and affordability. She presents it as a way for the CommonwealthA formal way of saying the federal government or federal level of government in Australia. to take a leadership role in improving housing outcomes.
“The National Housing Supply and Affordability Council Bill 2023 establishes the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council as an independent statutory advisory body. The council will help inform the Commonwealth's approach to housing policy by delivering independent advice to the government on housing supply and affordability. Establishing the council will ensure that the Commonwealth can play a leadership role in improving housing supply and affordability.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“It's clear what the Senate now needs to do, and that is end the delays and support these bills right now.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Everyone in this place needs to back this bill so that finally we can get that leadership started, because every level of government needs to be involved.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This is desperate, this is urgent and I encourage all members to rethink this and support our bills. People need to find decent housing. It is an absolute human right to ensure they have dignity and access to housing. I very proudly commend all these bills to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“So I say to this House that this is a big step forward. This is a good bill, and I congratulate the Minister for Housing and also the Minister for Education, who was the shadow minister for housing and helped design this policy. This policy will help thousands of Australians. This policy that we are debating will mean that literally thousands of women and children are not turned away from domestic violence shelters. This policy means that nurses and other frontline workers, like police and cleaners, will have an affordable home to live in. This policy will get the federal government back into the provision of housing in Australia.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“These reforms are going to end a decade of neglect that got us into this position. We need urgent action on the housing crisis. As I said, every member of this House should be supporting this legislation and that is what their constituents who are battling with the cost of housing in Australia today would want them to do.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“To solve the problem of housing affordability and the shortfall in supply of housing in this country requires action. That is what these bills go to. We are taking responsibility for people in our communities by making sure we have a vision for not just now and the medium term but the long term of this country. I am really pleased and proud to support these bills today.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I am delighted to stand here and support these bills, these bills that are going to fundamentally make a difference. Is a gambling? No. We have a range of this type of funding across government that has been running well for many years, thank you very much. All of the scaremongering and the hoo-ha is just a disgrace. This is just political grandstanding. We are standing here with a series of bills and a policy that are going to make a fundamental difference to housing in this country, and that is something we should all get behind. Try to put some of that political spin, and muck and bother, away and think about those people out there tonight who cannot find affordable housing—single parents, key workers, families who are struggling. This is, critically, about the good and the wellbeing of the people of Australia. I commend these bills to this chamber.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
21 speakers · 6 support · 14 oppose · 1 unclear
“We will absolutely not be supporting the Housing Australia Future Fund Bill 2023. But, given this is a cognate debate, I will reiterate my remarks at the beginning: we will support the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council Bill 2023. We're told that the government's stated objective is to ensure the Commonwealth plays a leadership role in increasing supply, and that the council will set targets for land supply in consultation with states and territories and also collect and make public nationally consistent data on housing supply, demand and affordability. That we can support. In the Treasury Laws Amendment (Housing Measures No. 1) Bill 2023, we will support everything but schedule 4. (Time expired)”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“These bills provide for the establishment of the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council as a statutory body. The explanatory memorandum has estimated that this will come at a cost of $4.4 million each year over the forward estimates. Given how much external help this government clearly needs to understand this area of public policy, I welcome this move. But I do warn the government not to fill this council with union reps, academics or former Labor members. I note that the Treasurer's new Investor Roundtable, which is informing policy in this space, contains five current or former Labor ministers. On this body we need people from industry, people who understand the planning and tax obstacles that prevent the market from meeting demand.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“But this bill is nothing to do with specific measures around housing. It is a complete cop-out. It is absolutely cowardly. It is saying: 'We're not prepared to make tough decisions within the budgetary framework, so instead we'll come up with this magic-pudding economics of borrowing money and earning more than the cost of it, and then we can spend that money.' We have to stand up to this, right here, right now. And that is why I urge the House not to support the second reading of this bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“So I say to the Labor Party: don't move this bill—this bill is silly and you have to change your mind. This is not the way forward.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The coalition will be supporting the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council Bill and the Housing Australia Future Fund Bill, with amendment.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I want to put some facts on the record in relation to the Housing Australia Future Fund Bill 2023 and what is being proposed. There is a lot being said about this bill, the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund, in the public sphere, but it is important that everyone understands what is actually proposed in this bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We oppose this bill because it does nothing to help struggling families throughout this nation.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“For the reasons stated, I oppose this bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to speak on the Housing Australia Future Fund Bill 2023 and related bills. The coalition does not support these bills, and not for the reasons Senator Sheldon just outlined. We support social housing. We want to see more social housing. We want to see the federal and state governments do more to address this issue. We just don't believe that this fund is the way to deliver it. I dare say that it won't deliver the ambitious targets they are saying it will deliver.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Australians need a policy that will deliver greater supply of land, remove the grit in the wheels, get rid of zoning laws and the gridlock of approvals and get down the cost of new homes, not more vanity funds that are in Labor's stable. So my coalition colleagues and I will oppose this irresponsible and poorly thought out bill that will cost Australians billions more while not guaranteeing even a single new house for one Australian family.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I think it is a very disappointing outcome and will be voting against this bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The bill lacks crucial detail for Australians in a number of ways, and it fails to define key terms, including probably the three most important. Those opposite have not defined social housing. That's a bit of a surprise in legislation that they're saying will assist social housing. They haven't defined affordable housing. Again, there's no definition of social housing, no definition of affordable housing and no definition of acute housing. I cannot believe that the Greens have struck a deal with Labor on something they care so passionately about when the legislation doesn't define social housing, doesn't define affordable housing and does not define acute housing.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“On these two issues alone, the Australian people would expect the coalition to vote against this bill. But, when you put it into the context of the government's housing agenda, the false promises and failures would cast doubt even in the minds of those who lent Labor their vote at the last election.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The opposition have announced that we will be supporting the latter two, so I will be confining my comments to the first of these three bills, the Housing Australia Future Fund Bill, because I think it raises quite a number of issues that I'm not sure that we know the answers to.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I stand today to make a contribution in relation to the Housing Australia Future Fund Bill, the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council Bill and Treasury Laws Amendment (Housing Measures) No. 1 Bill 2023. At the outset I make it very clear to this chamber that the opposition will be opposing the Housing Australia Future Fund Bill 2023. However, we do intend to support the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council Bill 2023.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“But, when it comes to the lives of northern Tasmanians, now is not the time to let the perfect be the enemy of the good. As the government, you are expected to solve these issues, and I'm not going to get in the way. But supporting you does not get you off the hook if you don't deliver what is promised through this bill. I will act in good faith, but I will be holding you to account to ensure that you have delivered what it is that you have promised.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Sadly, I don't believe that this Labor government's housing policy, after promising the world to Australians, will deliver what is proposed. We'll see the number of first home buyers dramatically decrease. We'll see very few, if any, of the 30,000 new social and affordable homes ever started. Rents will continue to increase. Now they want to add further fuel to the inflationary flame through the upward pressure on interest rates that this policy will generate. These consequences follow a common thread through many areas of the government's policy and their history over the years, and it is this: their rhetoric never matches the implementation of what they've proposed to do. It is the coalition, with its track record, that I would ask the government to consider emulating, because it has generated real and tangible benefits for Australians right across this country. I oppose this bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Well done on getting the bill thing. I hope it's a long and happy relationship. I can hear from the comments already that it won't be. You're already taking the micky out of each other on this. Sell it as $3 billion when we know it's $1 billion. Put your social media up telling everyone you're fighting for rent controls, when nothing can be done at a federal level. What has happened is a joke. This will cause some good, I grant you that, but not for some time. Don't sell it as an answer to everything, because really it's an answer to very little.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill is an absolute con job. It is an attempt to make a claim of spending $10 billion on housing when in actual fact this government will be doing no such thing.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Before making my contribution, I just want to respond to a few of the points raised by Senator Walsh. In particular, we're not voting against the Housing Australia Future Fund Bill because of fear, Senator Walsh. We're voting against this bill because it is bad policy. I'll talk about why in a moment, but let me make that very clear.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to speak on the Housing Australia Future Fund Bill 2023 and the associated bills. I'm happy to rise and speak on housing because housing is an issue not just in one particular place but right around the country. As the former Assistant Minister for Community Housing, Homelessness and Community Services, I drilled down into this space and worked with housing ministers across this space.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
10 speakers · 6 support · 4 oppose
“What we've really shown is that pressure works. We have secured an additional $3 billion for social and affordable homes, building thousands of homes for low-income renters, and we will now allow the HAFF to pass through the Senate this sitting week.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“That all words after "House" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We're going to support the passage of these bills this week, but we are putting the government on notice. The Greens absolutely are now turning our attention to fighting for the rights of renters—renters who have been left behind by these bills. That fight has just begun.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The reality is that we do have the money to fix the housing crisis in this country, just as we have the money to lift everyone out of poverty. It is purely a matter of political will. Labor's plan and this bill will make the housing and rental crisis worse. But Labor is really the only obstacle standing in the way of solving the housing crisis. We won't stop fighting on behalf of the millions of people who are in housing stress and who are being left behind. We will not stop fighting, and I hope that Labor can see sense, can come to the table and come up with a plan that actually helps people, not one that puts them into more distress.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to speak on this Housing Australia Future Fund Bill 2023. At the outset, I want to commend the work that the member for Griffith has done over months and months on this bill in building pressure on the government.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We are here, unashamedly, as the party of renters. We hear their concerns and we are here to give voice to and act on their concerns. We're proud to have delivered what we have through standing up and demanding that Labor be better: an extra $3 billion available immediately to build public and affordable homes in Australia, and turning a $500 million annual disbursement from a maximum to a minimum. But the job isn't over yet, and there's a long, long way to go before renters have real justice in Australia.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“On that basis, I will be withdrawing my second reading amendment on sheet 1962, relating to accessible housing.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The proposals before us—the HAFF and the $3 billion on the table, resulting from pressure from the Greens—are not enough, but they are an important advance on what we had nine months ago.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“So the opposition will say no and the Greens will say: 'Do better. Have something in this bill that addresses the real crisis that renters find themselves in. Let's look at First Nations housing. Let's make sure we spend some real money, not just have a gamble on the stock market and then cap how much is going to be spent and, in some years, spend nothing at all.' These are real proposals that will help fix the problem, not see the problem get worse. That is the fundamental problem with the approach the government is taking: if this bill is passed as it is, the problem will get worse than it is now.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Incredibly, and even in the face of countless stories like Emma's, the government's Housing Australia Future Fund will actually worsen the shortage of social housing and cut its yearly housing funding. Let's break down why. Labor's plan will see $10 billion invested in a fund where they pay investment managers to put that money into the stock market in the hopes that it will generate a return. It's not a $10 billion direct investment in housing. It's a $10 billion gamble on the stock market, with spending on new homes capped at $500 million per year and not indexed to inflation. At best, this plan will only see three per cent of the current need in Australia addressed.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
2 speakers · 2 oppose
“One Nation opposes this Soviet-style reckless, wasteful market intervention. One Nation proposes getting down to basics: cutting immigration until housing and infrastructure catch up; cutting red tape, green tape and blue UN tape; comprehensively reforming taxation to give Australians a fair go; shrinking government to fit the Constitution; and getting the government the hell out of people's lives, enabling people to make choices that suit people's and families' needs. We do not need more bureaucrats and more waste; we need more houses, real houses. We need a return to basics. Let the tradies of Australia get on with the job.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I acknowledge the issues which have created this housing and rental crisis are complex and have been many years in the making. This is making proposed solutions more complex too, but this is no comfort to Australian families facing increased mortgage payments and rents, facing rapid inflation and enormous energy bill increases. It is no comfort at all to the growing number of Australian families now facing homelessness. We all want to prevent homelessness and, except for the Greens, we all want families to be able to realise the great Australian dream of owning their own home. These bills do not address the cause of the national housing and rental crisis and, in terms of increasing housing supply, they are worthless. One Nation will not support this legislation. What a bitter disappointment this government has been to Australians doing it tough.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
9 speakers · 9 support
“This is a good bill, but it could be better. I will move amendments to ensure the specific needs of regional, rural and remote Australia are explicitly considered under these bills. I will do this because we have seen that if you don't explicitly target rural, regional and remote Australia, they can miss out.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“In sum, I want to make it clear that I agree with CHPs who have raised concerns that the funding is inadequate and that 30,000 homes may not be enough, but we must start somewhere, and having some social and affordable housing is, I suppose, better than having none. I support the minister in her efforts to take these measured steps to ensure we are helping the most needy and vulnerable.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I have seconded the amendment moved by the member for Fowler, and I wish to thank her for her considered review of this bill. I rise to speak in favour of that amendment because I believe her suggestions would strengthen the bill. Part of that amendment relates to the investment mandate of the bill, which hasn't even been released yet. As it currently stands, there is no certainty as to whether community housing providers must start developing these houses alone or whether the private sector can help contribute. I believe there should be every incentive built into our system to encourage co-investment between the two sectors. Each brings different expertise to the table.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I'm grateful to the boffins at the Grattan Institute who came up with this idea. I'm grateful to Labor for endorsing it as part of their election campaign. I'm grateful to the Greens for finally backing it. It's not where I would have started. But, for where we've ended up, I'm over the moon. This will mean so much for those who need it. I won't delay it a minute longer.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Overall, it's a great aspiration to tackle the housing crisis. I will support this package in light of that, because something has to give, but I ask the government to take on board these remarks, gathered and synthesised from experts and key stakeholders, because the genuine feedback is that this package is full of holes.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I welcome this bill and I hope that it does is much good as the minister promises. But, as I said, I do have some concerns, particularly with regard to off-budget spending. This concern is not limited to the Housing Australia Future Fund; it also relates to National Reconstruction Fund and the Rewiring the Nation fund, which collectively account for $45 billion in public money that will be invested and expended off-budget.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“So I support this bill but I urge the government to guarantee the integrity of the board—it must be independent—and ensure the transparency of funding agreements. Again, after too many programs have been rorted, it is imperative that this be a program that is not rorted. I urge the government to leverage the funding agreements to drive improvements in the quality of housing that we're talking about—housing electrification—and drive mandatory inclusion zoning in developments. There are many more tools to improve access to affordable housing in Australia.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“A welcome part of the housing legislation package is the establishment of the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council. This independent statutory body can take a long-term view and identify the ongoing need and the most efficient funding models. It will be important that the members of the council act in the overall interest of the country, rather than defending different parts of the housing industry. It will also be important that the council has full independence. Housing a secretariat in Treasury may undermine this and its independence may be better served by being part of Housing Australia. This would give Housing Australia a strategic and research role, rather than just a delivery role.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I support these bills. This can't be the only thing we do. I think we need to work with mum-and-dad investors as well to see whether there's a way that we can have some sort of partnership with those people who want to build individual affordable houses rather than this just being large NGOs who are delivering affordable housing.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second readingThe stage where Parliament debates the broad idea of a bill, and where senators or MPs can move a formal statement or amendment. opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second readingThe stage where Parliament debates the broad idea of a bill, and where senators or MPs can move a formal statement or amendment., opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Second reading debate
Second readingThe stage where Parliament debates the broad idea of a bill, and where senators or MPs can move a formal statement or amendment. debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second readingThe stage where Parliament debates the broad idea of a bill, and where senators or MPs can move a formal statement or amendment. debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading agreed to
Second readingThe stage where Parliament debates the broad idea of a bill, and where senators or MPs can move a formal statement or amendment. agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second readingThe stage where Parliament debates the broad idea of a bill, and where senators or MPs can move a formal statement or amendment., meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Consideration in detail: amendments considered
Amendment packages agreed
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
House · Consideration in detail debate
Consideration in detail
The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second readingThe stage where Parliament debates the broad idea of a bill, and where senators or MPs can move a formal statement or amendment. opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second readingThe stage where Parliament debates the broad idea of a bill, and where senators or MPs can move a formal statement or amendment., opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second readingThe stage where Parliament debates the broad idea of a bill, and where senators or MPs can move a formal statement or amendment. debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second readingThe stage where Parliament debates the broad idea of a bill, and where senators or MPs can move a formal statement or amendment. debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second readingThe stage where Parliament debates the broad idea of a bill, and where senators or MPs can move a formal statement or amendment. debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second readingThe stage where Parliament debates the broad idea of a bill, and where senators or MPs can move a formal statement or amendment. debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Recorded vote: 34 to 27.
Second readingThe stage where Parliament debates the broad idea of a bill, and where senators or MPs can move a formal statement or amendment. agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second readingThe stage where Parliament debates the broad idea of a bill, and where senators or MPs can move a formal statement or amendment., meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Committee of the whole: amendments considered
Amendment packages agreed
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
House · Message from Senate reported
Message from Senate reported
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Consideration of Senate message
House agreed to Senate amendments
The House dealt with Senate amendments or requests so both chambers could settle the bill in the same form.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament., turning the bill into an Act.
Senate Economics Legislation Committee; Committee report (22/03/2023)
Referred to committee
Referred to Committee (9 Feb 2023): Senate Economics Legislation Committee; Committee report (22 Mar 2023)
APH bill page notes
