Cost of Living Discussions in the House of Reps (04/11/2025)

Cost of Living and Housing Affordability Issues

• On November 4, 2025, Ms. Aldred (Monash, LP) raised concerns regarding the rapid increase in house prices, suggesting that the government’s expansion of the Help to Buy scheme could exacerbate the situation. She questioned whether these initiatives aligned with the Prime Minister’s claims about plans for cheaper mortgages (page 31).
• In response, Prime Minister Albanese defended the government’s housing policy, highlighting the benefits of the Home Deposit Scheme for constituents while asserting the government’s commitment to increasing social housing and promoting homeownership. He criticized the previous coalition government’s neglect of housing policies, emphasizing a focus on increasing housing supply and efficiency in approvals (pages 32-32).
• Mr. Gee (Calare, IND) highlighted that regional areas were being overlooked in housing funding amidst a national housing crisis. He stressed the need for equitable access to resources from the Housing Australia Future Fund, arguing that the benefits predominantly favored urban areas (page 33).
• Ms. O’Neil (Hotham, ALP) countered Mr. Gee’s concerns by defending the government’s commitment to regional housing initiatives, including the goal of constructing 55,000 homes and investing significantly in transitional housing (pages 33-34).
• During the Question Time segment, economic issues were at the forefront, with inquiries about unemployment statistics and inflation rates. Treasurer Jim Chalmers responded by affirming the government’s successes in job creation and economic stability, highlighting a reduction in headline inflation since taking office (pages 20-21).
• The discussions implied a broader concern regarding the cost of living, as members pressed for accountability surrounding how the government planned to address these ongoing economic challenges (page 20).

Overall, the proceedings underlined significant pressures related to housing affordability and the cost of living, with parliamentary members vocalizing their constituents’ concerns and calling for increased support and equitable access to housing resources, particularly in regional areas.