STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator BLYTH (South Australia) (13:35): Labor keeps telling Australians it's got a plan to fix housing, but the numbers tell a very different story. Labor's own budget admits its changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax will result in around 35,000 fewer homes being built over the next decade. It also admits those changes will put upward pressure on rents.

The housing shortage won't be fixed by making it harder to invest in housing. You cannot tell young Australians you are helping them into homeownership while pursuing policies that reduce supply. In Adelaide median rents are already above $600 a week.

Families are trying to cover rent, groceries, electricity and everyday expenses, with very little room left in their household budgets. Australians can't save as fast as inflation grows. The solution to a housing shortage is very simple.

It is more supply. The coalition will back builders, tradies, small investors and first home buyers, who keep the housing market moving. The coalition will axe taxes, reduce red tape and policies, and get more homes built in Australia.

We will link Australia's migration intake to the number of new homes being built and cap immigration based on the housing available. If housing supply cannot keep pace with population growth, Australians will continue competing for too few homes. The difference is very clear for Australians.

The coalition has a plan to increase housing supply and restore the dream of homeownership. Meanwhile, Labor keeps telling young people that they've never had it so good and that they can own a home. The results tell a very different story.

Labor's policies will leave Australia far worse off, with fewer homes for everyone.