Cost of Living Discussions in the House of Reps (27/08/2025)

care clinics and support for mental health services (p. 167-168).

Cost of Living and Housing Affordability

• Government Initiatives for First Home Buyers:
• Clare O’Neil, Minister for Housing, discussed new policies aimed at improving home ownership accessibility for young Australians, specifically the introduction of a five percent deposit scheme to assist first home buyers (pages 35-39).
• Commitment to Housing:
• The government has made commitments to support 40,000 people through various housing initiatives and aims to deliver 1.2 million homes over five years, demonstrating a significant step towards addressing housing affordability in Australia (p. 169).
• Importance of Affordable Housing:
• Ged Kearney, MP for Cooper (Labor), raised serious concerns regarding the housing crisis in Australia, emphasizing that the government is dedicated to combating this issue through various initiatives including the aforementioned deposit scheme aimed at easing the barriers to home ownership (pages 35-39).
• Impact on Families:
• Several representatives highlighted personal stories illustrating how housing affordability affects families, underlining the necessity of these initiatives for averting further social and economic strain on households.
• Health and Cost-of-Living Relief:
• Parallel to housing discussions, a related topic brought forth was the National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025, aimed at reducing the PBS general patient co-payment from $31.60 to $25. This initiative is seen as part of the broader effort to alleviate cost-of-living pressures on families and is expected to provide significant savings (pages 20-26).
• Public Support and Future Commitment:
• The government reiterated its commitment to making living costs more manageable, not only through housing support but also by ensuring that essential services like healthcare become more affordable, reinforcing a commitment that extends beyond immediate economic relief.

Conclusion

Efforts discussed in Parliament emphasize a cohesive approach to tackle the challenges related to cost of living and housing affordability. With initiatives like the five percent deposit scheme for home buyers and projected housing targets, the government aims to facilitate access to affordable housing and alleviate financial burdens on families. Additionally, healthcare reforms aimed at reducing medication costs complement these efforts, showcasing a broad strategy to improve the overall economic well-being of Australians.