STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr CALDWELL (Fadden—Opposition Chief Whip) (13:57): We've seen this government deliver a trifecta of failure on housing—fewer homes, higher rent and confidence in the market absolutely smashed. Of course, the big intervention in the housing space this week was from the Minister for Communications, and it was to talk about Ooshies. Can you believe that the Australian people were lectured about supply and demand in relation to kids supermarket toys?

Of course, what really happened was that we saw the toxic taxes introduced by our lovely treasurer over here. He has smashed confidence in the housing market, and this is going to lead to more rents going up and less supply in the marketplace. Of course, in years to come Australians will not be able to afford a home.

The coalition, in contrast, has a plan. That plan suggests that we should tie migration to housing. Now imagine that.

Imagine actually bringing people to this country and being able to provide houses for them. What a novel idea that is! It's perhaps something that they, on that side, should borrow in order to make sure that people have a roof over their head.

As well as that, we say we should be delivering more infrastructure to help with housing supply and, of course, reducing red tape. This government has a shameful record on housing, and the minister over there ought to be ashamed not just of the Ooshies but of all of their policies.