STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Ms BERRY (Whitlam) (13:50): Far too many young people feel that the housing market is stacked against them. I've spoken to many young people in my electorate who feel that the idea of owning their own home is completely out of reach. Our government is working hard to level the playing field for young Australians aspiring to homeownership.

Labor is delivering tax reform and housing investments that are specifically designed to help younger people buy their own home. Labor's five per cent deposit scheme is helping younger Australians buy a home of their own sooner, slashing the time required to save for a deposit. Our government has supported over 260,000 Australians nationwide to buy a home through our five per cent deposit scheme, and we've saved those 260,000 Australians more than $2.5 billion in lenders mortgage insurance.

In my electorate of Whitlam, I'm pleased to report that over 1,800 people have used our five per cent deposit scheme to buy their own home. Labor is also concerned with assisting people in our community who are renting. For example, over 9,000 people in my electorate of Whitlam receive Commonwealth rent assistance.

Our government has delivered the first back-to-back increases in Commonwealth rent assistance in over 30 years. Rent assistance has increased by over 50 per cent since we came to government. Only a Labor government will deliver this kind of bold reform for Australians who need it most.

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