CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Mr CONROY (Shortland—Minister for Pacific Island Affairs and Minister for Defence Industry) (16:03): Right across our community, and in my community in particular—down to Lake Macquarie and into the Central Coast—access to housing remains one of my top concerns. Young people are competing for fewer rentals. Families, who, just a generation ago, would have bought their first home, are locked out.

This crisis didn't happen by chance; it was the product of neglect. For nine years, under the coalition, there was no dedicated housing minister for most of that time. Just 373 social and affordable homes were built nationwide.

They walked away. And, for the last three years, while we've been trying to change that, we've seen the Greens join with the coalition to block reforms. This new coalition strategy was simple: delay, obstruct, then complain.

That's politics at its worst. Thankfully, Labor has got a different approach. The Albanese Labor government is delivering the biggest housing investment since the postwar boom.

Since coming to office, more than half a million homes have been built; 180,000 Australians have bought their first home with as little as a five per cent deposit; over one million households are receiving higher rent assistance, which has seen the biggest boost in 30 years; and 25,000 social and affordable homes are already in the pipeline. In my electorate of Shortland, the results are real.

So far, 956 locals have bought their first home through the Home Guarantee Scheme; more than 10,600 households are getting extra rent assistance, and nearly 600 apprentices are learning trades to help build the homes we need. But we know the job's not done. That's why we're going further.

Across the country, there will be 55,000 new social and affordable homes, 100,000 homes reserved for first home buyers and a national target of 1.2 million new homes in five years. For renters, we're delivering the biggest rent assistance increase in three decades and we're working with the states to strengthen tenants' rights. For first home buyers, the new Help to Buy shared-equity scheme that came in last week will make homeownership possible again for a key cohort.

I recently met Jesse in my electorate, who told me that, thanks to Labor's five per cent deposit scheme, he can finally buy a home. For Jesse and thousands like him, the dream of homeownership is back within reach. Housing isn't just about economics; it's about dignity, security and giving everyday Aussies a fair go.

Let me be clear: while others play politics, Labor is building homes, Labor is backing everyday Australians, and Labor is delivering for Australia's future.