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Housing Investment Probity

Current status

This bill did not become law and is no longer proceeding.

Policy area

Welfare & housing

What does this bill do?

The bill would amend the Housing Australia Future FundThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. Act 2023, rather than creating a new housing program.

Why was it introduced?

Senator Andrew Bragg introduced the bill after allegations about CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration. misconduct and concern about the union’s links with CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund. became part of a wider argument about Housing Australia Future FundThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. integrity. His explanatory memorandum and second readingThe parliamentary stage where senators debate whether they agree with the bill in principle. The Senate voted down this bill at that stage. speech said CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund. had a formal and legal affiliation with the CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration., that the CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration. had board representation connected with CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund., and that taxpayer-backed housing investment should not flow through projects financed by CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund. while the CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration. or any part of it was under administration. The bill’s practical answer was a targeted investment bar, not a general repeal of the Housing Australia Future FundThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments..

Broader context

The bill sits at the intersection of three disputes: how the Housing Australia Future FundThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. should use private finance, whether CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund.’s relationship with the CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration. created an integrity risk, and whether excluding a particular superannuation fund would help or hinder social and affordable housing delivery. Debate later widened to the pace of the HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. rollout and whether buying or converting existing homes counted as success.

Key criticism

Criticism focused on whether the bill would actually protect public money or instead reduce housing investment for ideological reasons. Labor senators argued CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund. was not a direct HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. recipient and that APRA, not Parliament, should handle superannuation governance concerns. Greens criticism accepted the housing crisis was severe but said the bill targeted unions and worker-linked capital rather than the structural drivers of housing unaffordability.

Who supported it?

Senator Andrew Bragg introduced this bill. It was supported by Liberal Party, One Nation, Nationals, some crossbench members; opposed by Labor, Greens, Australia's Voice, some crossbench members; and did not pass.

Introduced in Senate 21 Aug 2024
Defeated at second reading in Senate 26 Mar 2026
Did not reach House —
Did not become law —

Did it become law?

No

The bill did not complete passage through Parliament.

Final passage

Did not pass

2 recorded votes before the bill stopped proceeding

Time before failure

582 days

From introduction to the final recorded step before the bill stopped proceeding

Official record

View on APH

Parliament of Australia bill page

Meaning

What does this bill do?

  1. The bill would amend the Housing Australia Future FundThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. Act 2023, rather than creating a new housing program.

  2. It would stop the Future Fund BoardThe board that the bill text says must not make the covered investment during a prohibited time. from making a covered investment at a “prohibited timeThe period when the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, is under administration. The bill’s new investment restriction depends on this condition.”. A covered investment is a financial assetAn investment asset. For this bill, the asset would need to relate to social housing or affordable housing and involve investment by Cbus or its trustee or investment manager. related to social housing or affordable housing where CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund., or a trustee or investment manager for CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund., has invested or will invest.

  3. The restriction would only apply while the CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration., or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration. The explanatory memorandum says existing investments made before that prohibited timeThe period when the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, is under administration. The bill’s new investment restriction depends on this condition. would not be affected.

  4. Senator Andrew Bragg framed the bill as an integrity measure, arguing that CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund.’s links with the CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration. made CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund. an unsuitable participant in Housing Australia Future FundThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments.-related projects while serious misconduct allegations were unresolved.

  5. Opponents argued the bill misunderstood how the Housing Australia Future FundThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. works, because superannuation funds may provide private finance to housing projects but are not themselves direct recipients of HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. money.

  6. The Senate defeated a motion to refer the bill to the Economics Legislation Committee by 33 votes to 32 on 11 September 2024, then defeated the bill’s second readingThe parliamentary stage where senators debate whether they agree with the bill in principle. The Senate voted down this bill at that stage. by 36 votes to 26 on 26 March 2026, so the bill did not proceed.

Show source excerpts
  1. A Bill for an Act to amend the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023, and for related purposes
    Housing Investment Probity introduced bill text
  2. The Future Fund Board must not make an investment covered by subsection (6) at a prohibited time. This subsection covers the investment of an amount in a financial asset if: (a) the financial asset relates to social housing or affordable housing; and (b) a trustee, or an investment manager ... of a superannuation fund ... has invested, or will invest, an amount in the financial asset; and (c) the superannuation fund is the fund known as ... the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund
    Housing Investment Probity introduced bill text
  3. “Prohibited time” is defined as a time at which CFMEU ... or any branch, division or part of the CFMEU is under administration. The investment prohibition does not affect existing investments that were made when the CFMEU was not under administration.
    Housing Investment Probity explanatory memorandum
  4. Cbus’ formal and legal affiliation with the CFMEU has made it an untenable party with which to do government business. Allowing Cbus and its affiliate union, the CFMEU, to participate in the HAFF further risks the integrity of taxpayer funds.
    Second reading speech
  5. The Housing Australia Future Fund does not distribute taxpayer money to superannuation funds. That is not how the Housing Australia Future Fund works. What actually happens is this: super funds ... may choose to provide debt financing to community providers or project proponents.
    Lisa Darmanin second reading speech
  6. Reference to Committee ... NOES 33 ... AYES 32 ... Question negatived. ... Second Reading ... NOES 36 ... AYES 26 ... Question negatived.
    Senate division records

Context

Broader context for this bill

The bill sits at the intersection of three disputes: how the Housing Australia Future FundThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. should use private finance, whether CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund.’s relationship with the CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration. created an integrity risk, and whether excluding a particular superannuation fund would help or hinder social and affordable housing delivery. Debate later widened to the pace of the HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. rollout and whether buying or converting existing homes counted as success.

  1. 2023

    HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. Act is the legal base

    The introduced bill would amend the Housing Australia Future FundThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. Act 2023, making the existing HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. investment framework the legal setting for the proposed CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund.-related restriction.

    Introduced bill text ↗
  2. 15 Jan 2024

    First HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. tender opens to housing projects

    Collected AFR reporting said the first tender under the $10 billion HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. and the National Housing Accord began, with new dwellings, conversions and some purchases eligible for funding.

    Australian Financial Review ↗
  3. 25 Mar 2024

    First tender attracts heavy demand

    Collected AFR reporting said bids from major community housing providers, fund managers and governments exceeded the first-round quota, showing why access to private and institutional capital mattered to the HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. model.

    Australian Financial Review ↗
  4. 04 June 2024

    Applications top 50,000 homes

    Housing Australia’s chief executive was reported as saying the first round received 673 applications for 50,167 homes, well above the planned five-year volume for the combined housing programs.

    Australian Financial Review ↗
  5. 14 Aug 2024

    APRA review becomes part of sponsor’s case

    The explanatory memorandum said APRA ordered CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund. to conduct an independent review of whether CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration.-linked directors were fit to remain board members, after concerns about CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration. misconduct allegations.

    Explanatory memorandum ↗
  6. 21 Aug 2024

    Bragg introduces CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund. investment bar

    Senator Bragg introduced the bill in the Senate, arguing that HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. investments should not involve CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund.-financed housing assets while the CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration. was under administration.

    Senate Hansard ↗
  7. 11 Sept 2024

    Senate rejects committee referral

    A motion to send the bill to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 1 November 2024 was defeated by one vote, 33 noes to 32 ayes.

    Senate division record ↗
  8. 26 Mar 2026

    Senate votes the bill down

    After the bill was restored in the new Parliament and debated again, the Senate negatived its second readingThe parliamentary stage where senators debate whether they agree with the bill in principle. The Senate voted down this bill at that stage. by 36 votes to 26, ending the bill’s progress.

    Senate division record ↗

Legislative route

How did it move through Parliament?

House Senate
Introduced 21 Aug 2024

Senator Andrew Bragg presented the bill in the Senate.

Introduced and read a first time

Second readingThe parliamentary stage where senators debate whether they agree with the bill in principle. The Senate voted down this bill at that stage. opened 21 Aug 2024

Senator Bragg moved the second readingThe parliamentary stage where senators debate whether they agree with the bill in principle. The Senate voted down this bill at that stage. and had his explanatory speech incorporated in Hansard.

Second readingThe parliamentary stage where senators debate whether they agree with the bill in principle. The Senate voted down this bill at that stage. moved

Committee referral defeated 11 Sept 2024

The Senate defeated a motion to refer the bill to the Economics Legislation Committee by 33 votes to 32.

Reference to committee negatived

Lapsed 21 July 2025

The bill lapsed at the end of the Parliament before being restored in the new Parliament.

Lapsed at end of Parliament

Restored 23 July 2025

The Senate restored the bill to the Notice PaperThe official list of business before a house of Parliament. Restoring the bill to the Notice Paper put it back before the Senate after it lapsed..

Restored to Notice PaperThe official list of business before a house of Parliament. Restoring the bill to the Notice Paper put it back before the Senate after it lapsed.

Second readingThe parliamentary stage where senators debate whether they agree with the bill in principle. The Senate voted down this bill at that stage. reopened 24 July 2025

Senator Bragg moved the second readingThe parliamentary stage where senators debate whether they agree with the bill in principle. The Senate voted down this bill at that stage. again after restoration, and debate resumed in the Senate.

Second readingThe parliamentary stage where senators debate whether they agree with the bill in principle. The Senate voted down this bill at that stage. moved

Debate continued 30 July 2025

Senators continued debating the bill’s housing, superannuation and CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration. arguments.

Second readingThe parliamentary stage where senators debate whether they agree with the bill in principle. The Senate voted down this bill at that stage. debate

Bill defeated 26 Mar 2026

The Senate voted against the second readingThe parliamentary stage where senators debate whether they agree with the bill in principle. The Senate voted down this bill at that stage. by 36 votes to 26, so the bill did not proceed.

Second readingThe parliamentary stage where senators debate whether they agree with the bill in principle. The Senate voted down this bill at that stage. negatived

Key criticism

The main case against this bill

Criticism focused on whether the bill would actually protect public money or instead reduce housing investment for ideological reasons. Labor senators argued CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund. was not a direct HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. recipient and that APRA, not Parliament, should handle superannuation governance concerns. Greens criticism accepted the housing crisis was severe but said the bill targeted unions and worker-linked capital rather than the structural drivers of housing unaffordability.

The strongest criticism in the collected record comes from Senate debate. The local corpus does not include submissions or a committee report for this bill.

Could reduce housing finance

Labor senators said the bill would limit the pool of private finance available for social and affordable housing projects, because it would block HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments.-supported projects merely because they had private financing from CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund..

Raised by Labor senators including Lisa Darmanin and Glenn Sterle Source ↗

Said to misunderstand HAFF funding

A central Labor criticism was that superannuation funds are not direct recipients of HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. money. On that view, the bill targeted a financing relationship rather than a payment of taxpayer funds to CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund..

Raised by Senator Lisa Darmanin Source ↗

Regulation should sit with APRA

Labor speakers argued that concerns about CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund. governance should be dealt with through prudential regulation, including APRA licence conditions and fit-and-proper oversight, rather than one-off legislation naming a particular fund.

Raised by Labor senators including Lisa Darmanin, Glenn Sterle and Karen Grogan Source ↗

Greens called it an anti-union diversion

The Greens said the bill was part of a wider campaign against unions and workers’ influence over capital, and argued Parliament should instead focus on rents, public housing, negative gearing and capital gains tax settings.

Raised by Senator Barbara Pocock Source ↗

Further sources

parlinfo.aph.gov.au ↗ parlinfo.aph.gov.au ↗ parlinfo.aph.gov.au ↗

Votes

Recorded votes

How the bill itself passed

These were the main recorded votes on the bill.

Defeated

Senate cleared second reading

Aye 26 No 36

Defeated 26 to 36. Support came from Liberal Party, One Nation, Nationals, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, and Australia's Voice. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

26 Mar 2026

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 24
Liberal Party 19 / 0
Greens 0 / 10
One Nation 3 / 0
Independent 1 / 1
Nationals 2 / 0
Australia's Voice 0 / 1
Unknown 1 / 0

Amendments at a glance

Other recorded votes grouped by chamber. Expand a vote to see the party breakdown.

Senate

Defeated

Refer the bill to Economics Committee

Aye 32 No 33

Defeated 32 to 33. Support came from Liberal Party, Nationals, One Nation, and UAP. Opposition came from Labor and Greens. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

11 Sept 2024

The Senate rejected committee scrutiny of the bill by one vote, 33 noes to 32 ayes.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 18
Liberal Party 17 / 0
Greens 0 / 11
Unknown 6 / 3
Nationals 4 / 0
Independent 2 / 1
One Nation 2 / 0
UAP 1 / 0

This list includes amendment votes, procedural votes and votes on the bill itself.

Parliamentary debate

Who spoke, and what they said

Start here — lead voices

Sponsor speech Supports

Andrew Bragg

Liberal Party • Senator 21 Aug 2024

Andrew Bragg supported the bill as an integrity measure, arguing that CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund.’s links with the CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration. meant Housing Australia Future FundThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments.-related investments should not involve CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund.-financed housing assets while the CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration. was under administration.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead opposing voice Opposes

Lisa Darmanin

Australian Labor Party • Senator 24 July 2025

Lisa Darmanin opposed the bill, saying it misrepresented how the HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. and superannuation work because CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund. would be a private financier or co-investor, not a direct recipient of HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. money.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead voice Opposes

Glenn Sterle

Australian Labor Party • Senator 24 July 2025

Glenn Sterle opposed the bill, saying it reflected opposition to social housing and industry super funds and would try to control which organisations could partner with the HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments..

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead voice Supports

Dave Sharma

Liberal Party • Senator 24 July 2025

Dave Sharma supported the bill, linking it to Coalition criticism of CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration. conduct, the abolition of the Australian Building and Construction Commission, and concern about CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund.’s role in housing finance.

Read in Hansard ↗

All speeches by bloc

Labor

3 speakers · 3 oppose

  1. Lisa Darmanin ★ Lisa Darmanin opposed the bill, saying it misrepresented how the HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. and superannuation work because CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund. would be a private financier or co-investor, not a direct recipient of HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. money.
    “The Housing Australia Future Fund does not distribute taxpayer money to superannuation funds. That is not how the Housing Australia Future Fund works.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 24 July 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Glenn Sterle ★ Glenn Sterle opposed the bill, saying it reflected opposition to social housing and industry super funds and would try to control which organisations could partner with the HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments..
    “The bill combines two of the Liberal Party's great ideological obsessions ... the hatred of social housing and the hysterical opposition to industry super funds.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 24 July 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  3. Karen Grogan Karen Grogan opposed the bill, arguing that the HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. is administered by an independent body and that superannuation funds such as CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund. are already regulated and required to act in members’ interests.
    “Superannuation funds, including Cbus, are actually strongly regulated. They are required to comply with strict governance standards, and they are required to act in the best financial interest of their members.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 30 July 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

Coalition

6 speakers · 8 contributions · 6 support

  1. Dave Sharma ★ Dave Sharma supported the bill, linking it to Coalition criticism of CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration. conduct, the abolition of the Australian Building and Construction Commission, and concern about CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund.’s role in housing finance.
    “Despite purporting and promising to take a hard line against criminality in the CFMEU, Labor has refused to consider deregistering the union.”

    Liberal Party • Senator • 24 July 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Paul Scarr Paul Scarr supported the bill while using the debate to criticise the HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments.’s design, borrowing and delivery record, including concerns about acquisitions, spending requirements and transparency.
    “I want to make some preliminary comments about the Housing Australia Future Fund. I have a deep belief that there is something concerning about the establishment of off-balance-sheet funds of this nature.”

    Liberal Party • Senator • 30 July 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  3. Michaelia Cash Michaelia Cash supported the bill, saying it was an integrity measure to stop public housing funds flowing into projects tied to entities controlled or influenced by the CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration..
    “All Senator Bragg's bill seeks to do is this: amend the governing legislation of the Housing Australia Future Fund to ensure that funds raised for public housing ... do not flow into projects tied to entities controlled or influenced by the ... CFMEU.”

    Liberal Party • Senator • 30 July 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  4. Maria Kovacic Maria Kovacic supported the bill, arguing that Labor should ban CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund. and the CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration. from HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. involvement because of alleged links between CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration. influence, CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund.-financed projects and construction costs.
    “Labor should be banning Cbus and the CFMEU from any involvement in the HAFF. That is a reality.”

    Liberal Party • Senator • 30 July 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  5. Andrew Bragg ★ 2 contributions Andrew Bragg again supported the restored bill, saying the HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. involved $10 billion of public money and should not be used in projects connected with CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund. or the CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration..

    Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Andrew Bragg on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.

    Second reading speech Liberal Party • Senator • 21 Aug 2024

    Andrew Bragg supported the bill as an integrity measure, arguing that CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund.’s links with the CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration. meant Housing Australia Future FundThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments.-related investments should not involve CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund.-financed housing assets while the CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration. was under administration.

    “This Bill would amend the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023 to prohibit the HAFF from investing into housing assets or entities financed by Cbus Super.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗

    Second reading speech Liberal Party • Senator • 24 July 2025

    Andrew Bragg again supported the restored bill, saying the HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. involved $10 billion of public money and should not be used in projects connected with CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund. or the CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration..

    “This integrity bill is designed to ensure that these funds will not be plundered by the criminal mafia elements of the CFMEU and its related party fund, the Cbus organisation.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
  6. Jonathon Duniam 2 contributions Jonathon Duniam supported the bill before the final vote, saying it would limit HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. investment in projects or entities associated with the CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration. and protect taxpayer money.

    Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Jonathon Duniam on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.

    Second reading speech Liberal Party • Senator • 30 July 2025

    Jonathon Duniam supported the bill and used the debate to argue that housing affordability problems remained after the election and required policy changes beyond the government’s current approach.

    “I rise to speak on the Housing Investment Probity Bill 2024.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗

    Second reading speech Liberal Party • Senator • 26 Mar 2026

    Jonathon Duniam supported the bill before the final vote, saying it would limit HAFFThe Commonwealth housing investment fund governed by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023. This bill would have added a new limit on some HAFF investments. investment in projects or entities associated with the CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration. and protect taxpayer money.

    “The bill in essence limits the capacity for the HAFF to invest in projects or entities associated with the CFMEU, which I think is a very sound measure to put in place.”
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Greens

1 speaker · 1 oppose

  1. Barbara Pocock Barbara Pocock opposed the bill, describing it as an attack on unions and worker-linked capital, while arguing that housing policy should focus on rents, public housing and tax settings.
    “The coalition has a long history of attacking unions and workers' access to and influence over capital. This bill is a thinly veiled extension of this conservative campaign.”

    Australian Greens • Senator • 24 July 2025

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One Nation

1 speaker · 1 mixed

  1. Malcolm Roberts Malcolm Roberts supported the bill as a common-sense restriction on CbusThe construction and building industry superannuation fund named in the bill as the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund, or any later name for that fund.-linked financing while the CFMEUThe Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The bill’s investment bar would only apply while the CFMEU, or any branch, division or part of it, was under administration. was under administration, but said One Nation preferred abolishing the housing future fund entirely.
    “This bill from Senator Bragg is common sense—to prevent cash leaking through Cbus to the CFMEU until the CFMEU clean up their act.”

    Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party • Senator • 30 July 2025

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