The Federal Government’s housing policy is set to pass the Senate this week as the Greens’ announced their support and a deal was struck.
An extra $1 billion has been pledged by the party in public and community housing spending this year – in addition to the $2 billion by the government this year.
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Passed in the lower house earlier this year, the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund was failing to gain Senate support.
The Greens initially demanded rent freezes and caps to be implemented in exchange of their support for the fund but said using the $3 billion in “immediate and direct” housing spending was enough to gain their support.
The fund will support the build of 30,000 nee and affordable homes, established in the first five years of its implementation.
Greens’ leader Adam Bandt said the bill would likely pass the Senate this week, thanking the government “for finding the additional money”.
“Renters are powerful and the Greens are the party of renters,” Mr Bandt said.
“We have won more money for housing for renters, and rent control is next.”
Speaking during Question Time after the Greens’ announced their support, Housing Minister Julie Collins said the bill will result in long-last effects.
“For the first time, the Commonwealth government will have a legislative mandate to finance and support social and affordable housing right across the country.
“It will be there in perpetuity. Not just for this government, not just for the first five years of the fund, but there in perpetuity with returns going into higher social and affordable housing.
“This will change housing in Australia.”