Cost of Living Discussions in the Senate (28/08/2025)

Cost of Living and Housing Affordability

• During a session of the Senate on 28 August 2025, concerns regarding the cost of living and housing affordability were significant topics of discussion. Senator Andrew Bragg raised questions about the government’s strategies to address housing shortages and the role of the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF), suggesting that purchasing homes rather than building might exacerbate the housing crisis (page 52).
• Senator Penny Wong responded by emphasizing the government’s commitment to increasing the housing supply, rebuffing the coalition’s opposition to significant housing policies and pointing out the contradictions in their stance about affordability (page 52).
• The ongoing housing crisis was further addressed through various inquiries about the government’s accountability regarding housing initiatives, particularly the low construction numbers under programs like HAFF. Senator Leah Blyth pressed for more transparency and effectiveness in these housing efforts (page 68).
• Additionally, discussions revealed widespread dissatisfaction amongst senators regarding the government’s approach to community consultations and infrastructure projects, notably in relation to housing developments and urban planning (page 89).
• Senator Roberts criticized the government’s net zero policies, arguing they negatively impacted productivity and, by extension, cost of living pressures, with concerns that increasing taxes may worsen financial hardships for individuals, particularly the elderly (page 95).
• Rising energy prices were also highlighted as a contributing factor to cost of living pressures, with Senator Roberts citing specific examples, such as the impact on the Tomago Aluminium smelter, noting how such increases lead to job losses and decreased economic output (pages 96-99).
• Overall, the session underscored a bipartisan recognition of housing affordability and living cost issues, emphasizing a need for effective policy responses to alleviate pressure on households across Australia. The discussions illustrated the complexities of addressing these intertwined challenges within the current political landscape.