Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF)

Last year, the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) passed the Parliament after the Greens caved into public pressure. We know how hard rising cost of living is hitting the pockets of working Australians, and that’s why we’re building over building 30,000 new social and affordable rental homes in the next five years alone with a national target of 1.2 million homes over the next decade. In total, an additional $10 billion is being invested to ensure growth in the Australian housing stock, ensuring that there is an affordable roof over renters’ heads. This is the largest federal housing investment in over a decade and is just one part of the ambitious housing reform agenda being pursued by the Albanese Labor Government.

Core to this is working with state and federal governments across Australia to deliver a better deal for renters and homeowners. We remain committed to fighting the cost-of-living crisis and ensuring that every Australian is looked after.

Industrial Relations (IR) Reforms

We have passed needed Industrial Reforms through the Senate. These reforms include the national criminalisation of wage theft, a new criminal offence for industrial manslaughter, Same Job Same Pay, and better protection for workers subjected to family/domestic violence discrimination at work.

Make no mistake, these are landmark changes for industrial relations in our country. This will ensure workers are paid what they deserve and ensure safer workplaces right across Australia. I want to thank the ACTU and union movement on their advocacy on this – in the words of Senator Michaelia Cash, this has been 9 years in the making, and it has been delivered by unions, for workers.

There’s still work to be done in this area – casual conversion, minimum standards for gig workers, and road transport industry reforms – and Labor remains committed to fighting for these reforms as a priority early next year.

But what clear is that the Liberals and their allies are going to keep fighting against us. Fighting against better conditions for workers, against better wages, and against safe workplaces.

Environment

Last year, we achieved a significant milestone in environmental conservation with the successful passage of the bill to rescue the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. This legislation marks a turning point for Australia’s most extensive river system, which is vital for diverse communities, industries, farmers, First Nations groups, and the environment. The coalition’s approach to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan was deeply inadequate, undermining water recovery and environmental protection. For nearly a decade, a tiny portion of the promised 450 gigalitres of environmental water were delivered – to the detriment of the ecosystem and the communities relying on the basin. This mismanagement harmed the millions of Australians who depend on it for drinking water, as well as the survival threatened plant and animal species.

To fix this mess, our Restoring our Rivers Bill represents a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach. The bill endures the delivery of the full 450 gigalitres of water for environmental purposes, which is crucial for the health and sustainability of the basin. It introduces greater flexibility, accountability, and transparency in the management of the river system. It will build upon ongoing efforts to implement water-saving infrastructure and acquire water from willing sellers. This arrives at a critical time, as the region faces the prospect of another drought and the looming expiration of the original plan’s deadlines. The Albanese Labor has a strong commitment to ensuring a healthy and sustainable future for the Murray-Darling Basin, as well as a broader dedication to environmental stewardship and responsible management of Australia’s natural resources.

Cost of Living

We know that cost of living pressures are hitting Australians hard this holiday season. This is why we have been proactive in implementing a a comprehensive 10-point plan to provide relief while simultaneously ensuring responsible economic management.  The rollout of $23 billion in cost-of-living assistance is a significant investment aimed at easing the financial burdens on households and small businesses. This plan is being executed alongside efforts to maintain a balanced budget, a crucial step in exerting downward pressure on inflation, which has been a significant source of economic strain for the country.

A key part of this plan includes substantial healthcare and energy support measures, including the tripling of the bulk billing incentive, through which more than 11 million young and low-income Australians can now access GP services with minimal or no out-of-pocket costs. This healthcare initiative is a critical step towards making medical care more accessible and affordable. Additionally, the government is providing significant energy rebates, benefiting eligible households with up to $500 and small businesses with up to $650 annually, credited directly to their power bills.

We do recognise the external global factors, such as international conflicts and oil production cuts, that are contributing to inflationary pressures. Despite these challenges, our government remains focused on providing targeted relief to ensure our most vulnerable communities can get by. This relief package goes hand-in-hand with our cheaper medicines and more affordable childcare policies, with the aim of both addressing the current crisis while also contributing to the long-term stability of the economy, making it easier for families to plan, and get, ahead.