QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator COLLINS (New South Wales—Deputy Opposition Whip in the Senate) (14:11): My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Australia's largest home builder, Metricon, reports sales falling by 40 per cent in some markets and 'a complete evaporation in buyer confidence'. Labor's own budget forecasts that its tax changes will mean 35,000 fewer homes.

How can your government seriously claim its housing policies are working when they are delivering a trifecta of fewer homes, higher rents and falling buyer confidence?