Labor Faces Firefight in Senate Over $32 Billion Housing Bill

Greens argued that the proposed bill will only benefit 0.2 percent of renters while potentially driving up house prices for others.

A general view of housing in the suburb of North Sydney facing towards the central business district (CBD) in Sydney, Australia on June 28, 2024. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

The Albanese government’s announcement of initial funding rounds for its housing initiatives left Senator Penny Wong with a firefight in the Senate on Sept. 16 during Question Time.

On the morning of Sept. 16, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese proposed an initial allocation of $32 billion (US$21.5 billion) for the Housing Australia Future Fund and the National Housing Accord to support the construction of over 13,700 new social and affordable homes across the country.