Anthony Albanese has pledged to work with states and territories to build 1.2 million new homes over the next five years to tackle the nation’s housing crisis.
The Prime Minister promised life would become easier for tenants under the new deal, after meeting state premiers for the final national cabinet ahead of Wednesday’s Voice referendum to discuss housing.
He acknowledged that supply remained the main issue across the board and promised that new homes would be built in “well-located” areas around Australia, from July 2024. That’s an additional 200,000 homes a year. compared to last year.
The National Cabinet has also agreed to work to deliver a “best deal for tenants”, which will include developing a nationally consistent policy to end no-cause evictions and move towards limiting rental increases. rent only once a year.
The government will seek to gradually introduce minimum rental standards.
The Prime Minister promised life would become easier for tenants under the new deal, after meeting state premiers for the final national cabinet ahead of Wednesday’s Voice referendum to discuss housing.
“This is borrowed, shamelessly, from some of the Hawke reforms,” Mr.
Albanese told a news conference on Wednesday afternoon.
As part of the reforms, an in-depth reflection will be carried out on how to better regulate short-term residential accommodation.
The Prime Minister noted that this is an issue that affects some voters more than others.
He was joined by each of the prime ministers and state prime ministers – all but one are also Labor – at the announcement.
Mr Albanese would not be led to speculate on the Greens’ response to his policy. The party held its Housing Australia Future Fund to ransom in the Senate with demands for nationwide rent freezes.
Labor said it believed freezing rents would make the housing crisis worse.
“I discussed with a negotiation with the prime ministers, not with minor parties,” he said.
“They think you just have a rent freeze… there’s no jurisdiction that argues for that. No one is claiming that it will make a positive difference.
“We think it will make things worse.”

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States will be financially incentivized to build more than their fair share of the 1.2 million homes with a “bonus for new homes.”
A total of 3 billion dollars will be spent on the construction of the new houses.
“An additional 200,000 homes with $3 billion allows for an incentive of $15,000 per additional home, on top of the million that was previously agreed upon,” Mr. Albanese said.
Particular emphasis will be placed on the promotion of medium and high density housing in areas close to existing public transport, amenities and employment opportunities.
The group hopes that further reforms will resolve delays in development approvals to start the process and improve community consultation processes.
Mr Albanese described the policy decisions as “the most significant housing policy reforms in a generation”.
“My government is determined to take our responsibility because I care deeply about it,” he said.
“There are deadlines for all of this – that is, as soon as possible.”

The main concern of Greens and Independents is that the bill does not go far enough to ease the pressures on the exploding housing market. Pictured: People queuing for a property inspection
Mr Albanese has not ruled out calling a snap election to try to push his housing proposal through the government.
If no agreement can be reached, the bill would have failed twice in the Senate. Mr Albanese would then be within his rights to call a snap election to seek the Australian people’s mandate.
Mr Albanese has repeatedly accused the Greens of turning the housing crisis into a political opportunity to score points.
‘It’s a matter of politics. And very clearly, if this law is passed, there will be more investment in social housing. You can’t say you’re for and then vote against.
Labour’s Housing Australia Future Fund aims to build 30,000 social and affordable homes over five years, including 4,000 homes for women and children experiencing domestic violence.
The main concern of Greens and Independents is that the bill does not go far enough to ease the pressures on the exploding housing market.