State and territory leaders will be under pressure to address the country’s housing crisis when they meet with the prime minister for national cabinet.
Leaders will hold talks with Anthony Albanese in Brisbane on Wednesday, as an impasse over the federal government’s multi-billion housing fund.
The $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund has been stalled in the Senate due to a lack of support from the coalition and Greens, who argue little has been done to adequately address issues experienced by renters.
While the fund would provide 30,000 social and affordable homes in its first five years, the Greens had called for a rent freeze.
The prime minister said national cabinet would seek to address housing supply as a way of solving the issue.
“We all know as well that … renters need more rights, but it can’t be done in a way that actually dampens housing supply,” he said on Tuesday.
“It’s time for the political games to end. This is a scheme that should have begun on July 1 and every day of delay is less social housing. So, I say to the Greens political party, the time for political games is over.”
While reforms for renters could be on the cards, such as limiting rent increases to just once per year, Greens housing spokesman Max Chandler-Mather said it did not go far enough.
“Greens pressure and pressure from renters around the country have put rental rights on the national cabinet agenda, but the reality is these are minor reforms that won’t stop a single massive rent increase,” he said.
“Unlimited rent increases once a year are still unlimited rent increases, and landlords can and will use unfair rent increases to kick tenants out, or push them into financial stress.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns said he welcomed the focus on housing at national cabinet.
“Tackling the housing crisis will involve a whole of community approach, involving industry and every level of government,” he said.
“Ambitious targets are welcome, but this will require a strong federal-state partnership to deliver them.”
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton had warned a proposed cap on rent would see less investment in the housing market.
“We want more homes being constructed. We want more supply coming online, not just for renters, but for first time buyers and for others in the marketplace at the moment,” he said.
