MEDIA RELEASE 

THE HON SHAYNE NEUMANN MP, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BLAIR

Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann has welcomed the housing reforms announced following the National Cabinet meeting in Brisbane this week, saying they will deliver more secure and affordable housing in his electorate.

The Albanese Labor Government, and the states and territories, agreed to a number of significant commitments, including: 

• A new national target to build 1.2 million well-located new homes over five years, from 1 July 2024;
• The New Homes Bonus, $3 billion of performance-based funding for states and territories who achieve more than their Accord targets and undertake reforms to boost housing supply and improve housing affordability;
• The Housing Support Program, a $500 million competitive funding program for local and state governments to kick-start housing supply;
• A Better Deal for Renters, which includes developing a nationally consistent policy to require genuine reasonable grounds for eviction, moving towards limiting rental increases to once a year and phasing in minimum rental standards; and
• A National Planning Reform Blueprint with planning, zoning, land release and other measures to improve housing supply and affordability.

Mr Neumann said housing was front of mind for many people in Ipswich, the Somerset Region and Karana Downs area.

“I know too many local residents are facing housing challenges, which is why the Albanese Government is committed to taking action.

“National Cabinet’s new commitments will deliver lasting change with states and territories and ensure more residents on Blair have a safe place to call home.”

On top of this, the Government is working with states and territories to deliver the Help to Buy shared equity scheme, supporting up to 40,000 low and middle income families to purchase a home of their own. 

This will bring home ownership back into reach for thousands of Australians who have been locked out of the housing market. 

As part of this, the Government will provide an equity contribution to eligible participants of up to 40 per cent for new homes and 30 per cent for existing homes. 

For states to participate, legislation will need to be passed for the scheme to operate in their jurisdiction. All states have agreed at National Cabinet to progress legislation so the scheme will run nationally. 

The Albanese Government has already helped more than 50,000 Australians into home ownership through the Home Guarantee Scheme, including more than 6,000 through the new Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee. 

Mr Neumann said the Government would help 40,000 low and middle income families buy a home.

“So often these Australians have done all the right things – worked hard, saved up, made sacrifices, but a deposit for a home is still out of reach.

“Our Government will step up and assist, opening the door of home ownership to tens of thousands of Australians.

“I’m proud that Help to Buy will bring home ownership back into reach for 40,000 Australians.

“This is a critical element of our Government’s broad and ambitious housing agenda to help address Australia’s housing challenges.

“We’ll keep delivering to ensure more Australians have a safe and affordable place to call home,” Mr Neumann said.

These reforms agreed by National Cabinet build on the Government’s existing housing initiatives, including: the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund, which will help fund 30,000 new social and affordable rental homes in its first five years; a new $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator to deliver thousands of social homes across Australia; and increasing the maximum rates of Commonwealth Rent Assistance by 15 per cent, the largest increase in more than 30 years.