Portfolio Media Releases
Thousands of Australians forced back into homelessness
One of the real success stories of the past year was what was done to help thousands of desperate Aussies sleeping rough in our parks and streets. At the height of the pandemic, 40,000 people who were sleeping rough, couch surfing or in shelters were provided with a bed in... read more...
Government turns its back on bushfire brothers
Peter and David Abel are twins who have lived together their whole life. After losing their home in the bushfires, they tried to access the $25,000 HomeBuilder grant to rebuild. Because they’re brothers, not a couple, the Government says they’re not entitled to the grant.... read more...
Bushfire victims should get Homebuilder extension
Many of the 3,000 Australian families who lost their homes in last summer’s bushfires will miss out on the HomeBuilder grant because they won’t be able to sign a contract for a new home by next March. If anyone deserves a bit of help to rebuild a home, it’s the people... read more...
Time for National Cabinet to help homeless Aussies
Two hundred and sixty people are turned away from homeless services every single day, according to a report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare released today. The number of people trying to access special homelessness services has increased by 3000 in the... read more...
HomeBuilder patch up job not enough to save tradies' jobs
After repeated calls from Labor, the Government today has finally announced changes to its flawed HomeBuilder Scheme. For months we have said the scheme is too small and needs to be extended. We also called for the price cap in cities like Sydney to be lifted and the time... read more...
Linda Scott elected President of Australian Local Government Association
Labor congratulates Linda Scott on her election as President of the Australian Local Government Association. Linda brings with her a wealth of experience. She has served as Vice President of the Australian Local Government Association since 2018, been a Councillor on the... read more...
Minister flags changes to HomeBuilder
Yesterday in Parliament, Labor called on the Minister for Housing to extend and fix the HomeBuilder Scheme. This includes lifting the price cap for new homes in places like Sydney. Sydneysiders aren’t getting their fair share from this scheme at this moment. New South Wales... read more...
More evidence HomeBuilder is not enough
Up to 42,000 Australians who work in the construction industry will lose their jobs this financial year, according to the Australian Construction Industry Forum. Updated forecasts reveal that the construction industry, which employs one in ten Australian workers, “is... read more...
Lights are on but no one’s home
Today in Senate Estimates it was revealed the Morrison Government doesn’t know: If homelessness is going to go up in the next twelve months, What will happen to the 7000 homeless Australians put into empty hotel rooms during the pandemic, How many people applied to have... read more...
HomeBlunder exposed: Only 123 grants paid
The Morrison Government promised four months ago that the HomeBuilder Scheme would benefit 27,000 families. Half-way through the application timeframe, less than a quarter of that number have applied and less than one per cent have been paid a cent. The Government has... read more...
