The prime minister’s comments escalate a war of words over housing policy with the Greens.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
On Saturday,Albanese announced $2 billion in direct funding for social and affordable housing to states and territories in exchange for reforms to planning laws,increasing pressure on the Greens to support the federal government’s key housing legislation.
The Greens are demanding a nationwide two-year rent freeze and a limit to rent increases in exchange for its support. The Coalition is opposed to the housing fund,which would be used to finance the construction of 30,000 social and affordable homes by 2029,on cost grounds.
Albanese told parliament the Greens’ proposal would actually reduce rental supply at a time when the country needed more properties to drive down prices and rents.
He said while the Greens and Coalition could block debate on the housing fund in the Senate,the government could go it alone as it had with its $2 billion social housing boost for the states and territories.
“There are a range of things open to the government to do policy-wise that we don’t need a Senate which has decided to block everything. We will take up those options,” he said.
“It is a pity that the Greens political party have chosen to make themselves irrelevant to the debate. Because by refusing to participate just like the Coalition do on these issues,they can take no responsibility for anything that this government does.”
Greens leader Adam Bandt said the party had deferred debate on housing until after the next national cabinet meeting in August,and their support would depend on what happens in the rental space through that meeting.