CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Dr COOK (Bullwinkel) (16:08): Housing is central to the security and dignity of every Australian. It is the foundation upon which families build their lives, careers are launched and communities thrive. Over the past few days I sought direct feedback from constituents across Bullwinkel to hear what policies matter to them most, and housing stood out above all else.

Alethea from Wattle Grove captured it brilliantly, sharing with me: Home ownership allows people to become invested in their community and society. Alethea is spot on. When people have a secure, permanent roof over their heads our entire region benefits.

That's why I'm proud that right now 1,841 constituents in Bullwinkel have been able to buy their first home thanks to our expanded five per cent First Home Guarantee scheme. In Bullwinkel, we're also seeing tangible results from our landmark Housing Australia Future Fund. I recently visited 19 brand new social and affordable homes that had been completed in High Wycombe in the Perth Hills.

That's 19 safe havens delivered directly through our national housing agenda. At the same time, we're ensuring the system is fair for everyday buyers. Marcia from Kalamunda told me that she's been waiting since 2019 for reforms to negative gearing and was delighted that Labor had the resolve to deliver.

By reforming negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount to incentivise new builds, we're ensuring investment flows into expanding supply rather than pricing local families out of the market. Whether it's through our target to build 1.2 million homes, expanding rent assistance or unlocking structural reform, our focus is clear. The contrast could not be starker.

So that's 1,841 local first home buyers in Bullwinkel getting their keys, and we're building 19 new social and affordable homes in High Wycombe while the coalition, after a decade of neglect, built 373 social homes nationwide in 10 years. Our Labor government is delivering. We are fixing the foundations of our housing market, we're listening to our community and we're delivering real and lasting relief.

Going back to Alethea from Wattle Grove, she said: Home ownership allows people to become invested in their community and society.