QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator PAYMAN (Western Australia—Australia's Voice Whip) (14:46): My constituents, particularly young families who hope to own their 'Newfoundland' one day, have told me the dream of homeownership is slipping away. They tell me they're sick of the major parties passing this issue back and forth like a hockey puck. They also know that the five per cent deposit scheme will push up prices.

Minister, does the government believe that saddling a few Australians with a bigger mortgage and putting housing further out of reach for many more is a good deal?