Carol Berry
Whitlam · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“I am proud of the steps that Labor has taken to try and make universities and further study more accessible and affordable for students from all walks of life. We've taken a range of measures which have been outlined in the accord. For example, Labor has cut 20 per cent of HECS debts.”
“Previously, this was only available for Indigenous students living in regional and remote Australia. The Department of Education estimates that over the next decade, this initiative could double the number of Indigenous students at university.”
“The new system will address existing issues in the higher education funding system and will better align Commonwealth funding with enrolments. Importantly, higher education providers will be supported to transition to the new funding system.”
“My father, aunty, sister and husband are all public school teachers, and I'm proud to have been educated in public schools. I'm very passionate about public education because, without it, I wouldn't be where I am today. My mother was raised in housing commission in Dundas Valley near Parramatta in Sydney's western suburbs.”
“It also recommended increasing the number of higher education students from underrepresented backgrounds, matched by a focus on success for these students. The universities accord found that 69 per cent of young Australians from wealthy families had a university degree, compared with only 19 per cent from less wealthy families.”
“I spoke about this person in the Federation Chamber earlier this week: Dr Jodi Edwards, a Yuin Dharawal woman who has dedicated her life to community, culture and language across New South Wales, including in the southern Illawarra region of my electorate of Whitlam.”
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“In September this year, Archie joined his training squad teammates on a visit to Parliament House, where he met the Minister for Skills and Training and also the Prime Minister. The Australian government proudly supports the WorldSkills program, which plays a vital role in encouraging young Australians to pursue skills based careers. Archie Wilkinson studied at TAFE in Goulburn and is now employed by Graham Isedale Plumbing in Mittagong, which is in the Southern Highlands region within my electorate. I congratulate Archie on all he has achieved so far, and I wish him all the best as he trains to gain selection for the Skillaroos. I also rise today to recognise Reading Friends Australia, a not-for-profit organisation that encapsulates two things I am passionate about: education and community spirit.”
“I rise today to congratulate Archie Wilkinson, an apprentice plumber in my electorate who won a gold medal at the WorldSkills Australia National Championships in Brisbane earlier this year. These championships celebrate and showcase vocational excellence, and this year's competition featured over 600 apprentices, trainees and students, who competed over three days across more than 60 skills categories, including Archie's chosen field of plumbing. Following his gold medal in Brisbane, Archie was one of 39 apprentices selected for the WorldSkills Australia national training squad. This is the first step towards gaining a place on the Australian team, the Skillaroos, that will compete against more than 60 other countries at the 48th WorldSkills competition in Shanghai in September next year.”
“Bec is a wonderful advocate for our region. Bec was the driving force behind the successful Shellharbour Stand Up Paddle Boarding Festival, which was on this weekend at the beach at Warilla Beach and Reddall Reserve. Last month she won the open women's title as well as her third over-40 title at the Australian Stand Up Paddle Boarding Championships. Bec is such a dynamic person and such an asset to the Shellharbour region. I congratulate Bec on her success, as well as everyone who makes Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour such an inspiring part of our community.”
“I rise to acknowledge and celebrate one of Shellharbour's most treasured businesses: Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour. If you've seen the stunning waters of Lake Illawarra, you will know what makes this experience so special. Behind this highly successful business is the passion and energy of its owner and head instructor, Bec Dunning . Bec's dedication to sharing the joy of stand up paddle boarding with both locals and visitors alike has built not just a thriving business but a vibrant community on the water. Her commitment to excellence was recognised when Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour was named a finalist in the New South Wales Tourism Awards in the adventure tourism category, an achievement that shines the spotlight not only on Bec's business but also on Shellharbour as a visited destination.”
“More than 1.1 million jobs have been created since we came to office. That is stronger jobs growth than in any advanced economy. In terms of supporting individuals and families with cost-of-living pressures, it should be acknowledged that no measure works in isolation. The macroeconomic environment, global energy markets, inflation and structural change all exert force on household budgets. But our government has made cost-of-living relief a priority, as reflected in our healthcare reforms, our energy bill relief and the tax cuts we have delivered. We are managing the economy in the interests of all Australians, and this continues to be our focus.”
“Our investment will deliver an additional 18 million bulk-billed GP visits a year. This investment, as well as our reductions in the cost of medicines under the PBS and our investment in urgent care clinics, is designed to reduce cost pressures on individuals and families. On top of that, as I mentioned, our government has cut taxes so that Australians can keep more of their earnings. We've subsidised energy bills, and we're reforming the energy system so that households will have lower power bills over time. We've supported economic conditions for lower interest rates through economic stability and labour market policies. We've supported lower unemployment rates and better labour market outcomes, recognising that secure work is one of the best ways to relieve cost-of-living pressures.”
“Our national employment rate is at historically low levels. However, there remains untapped potential within our labour market, and we are working to ensure that we are reducing barriers to work, increasing skills, supporting transitions to work, and ensuring secure, fairly paid jobs. These efforts are designed to deepen labour force participation, reduce underemployment and promote economic activity, thereby strengthening household income, reducing welfare dependency and contributing to cost-of-living relief. The Albanese Labor government has employed a range of strategies to reduce cost-of-living pressures for Australians. Notably, in the area of health care, where many Australians experience significant cost pressures, we are making record investments in bulk-billing.”
“The Australian Energy Market Commission projects that, with a coordinated transition to renewables and electrification, households could reduce their energy spending significantly over the next decade. With the transition to renewable energy, our government aims to create jobs, reduce pressure on energy bills, and lower emissions. These steps combine immediate relief with the longer-term structural reform of the energy system, which will be good for the environment and will reduce energy bill costs for Australians. Regarding unemployment, average unemployment under the Albanese Labor government is the lowest of any government in 50 years. Our government has adopted a comprehensive approach aimed at not just lowering the unemployment rate but also addressing underemployment and labour market underutilisation.”
“We have taken practical steps to reduce the tax burden on people who have lower incomes, because Labor cares about ensuring people on lower incomes keep more of what they earn. In relation to energy prices, we have been working hard to address the burden of energy costs, because we acknowledge that for many households and small businesses this remains a significant pressure. The federal government has extended the national energy bill relief program, offering every household and around one million small businesses automatic electricity bill rebates. Beyond rebates, important structural reforms relating to energy are underway in the transition to renewable energy.”
“I am one of those members that represents a regional community. Just this morning we announced that we are investing $1 million to address potholes and drainage in a road at Bass Point—which is a jewel in the crown of our community, not only for locals but for the visitor economy. So I wonder: is that to be considered an investment, or a spending spree? The federal government cares about reducing cost-of-living pressures on individuals and families across Australia. More than that, we have taken practical steps to reduce those pressures. To begin, we've reduced personal income tax rates for Australians on lower incomes, and further tax cuts are coming. These are tax cuts that the opposition opposed. Of course, the opposition is good at one thing; it's good at opposing.”
“The sense of care and concern for people at what is often a vulnerable or lonely time of life is an incredibly generous gesture on the part of volunteers. I sincerely thank all those associated with the Southern Highlands Community Hospice for the extremely valuable and important work they do for the community.”
“Southern Highlands Community Hospice provides funding for accommodation and medical costs for end-of-life patients without private health care; additional palliative care nursing, carer support and associated equipment hire costs for those choosing to die at home; one-off payments to fund medical equipment for palliative care patients to optimise their quality of life; and additional palliative care nursing at two aged-care facilities. The hospice also provides funding for palliative medications; specially trained palliative care volunteers to support residents in aged-care facilities; a free biography service which documents a person's memories, which is a beautiful service; and end-of-life planning and bereavement counselling services. These services are highly valued by the community.”
“I rise today to recognise the Southern Highlands Community Hospice, a charitable organisation that provides hospice and palliative care services for the Southern Highlands community. The volunteers who deliver these services on behalf on the Southern Highlands Community Hospice do so with great care and compassion. Last month I was lucky enough to meet many of these volunteers and hear firsthand about the wonderful work they do.”
“Overall, these reforms send a clear message that sexual misconduct has no place in our Defence Force. There must be a culture that does not tolerate abuse, that acts decisively when harm occurs and that places the dignity and safety of all members at the centre of our actions. One year after the final report was released, we've made good progress, but we are fully aware there is more important work to do. We want to deliver the most comprehensive reforms ever undertaken in Australia to reform the systems, processes and culture to support defence personnel and veterans and their families. The Albanese Labor government will continue to act on the royal commission's recommendations as quickly as we can.”
“Defence is also reviewing and updating key frameworks, including the Defence complaints and resolutions manual, to ensure definitions of sexual offences and reporting pathways are clearly articulated and in line with equivalent civilian provisions. Importantly, ADF prosecution councils are now required to invite impact statements to be considered by a service tribunal during sentencing, aligning military practice with longstanding procedures in civilian courts. In November last year, the Chief of the Defence Force issued a directive that commanders and managers must now consider suspension from duty and involuntary separation of members alleged to have engaged in serious misconduct, including sexual offences, sexual harassment, intimate image abuse and stalking.”
“This strategy will, either directly or indirectly, implement 52 royal commission recommendations and is being shaped by the voices of the women who have served. It will address core areas such as health care, mental health, financial security, housing and family support, all through a gender informed lens. I note that recommendation 15 has been implemented through an updated central policy on sexual misconduct, which now provides clearer and more consistent guidance for commanders and managers. It outlines when to engage the Joint Military Police unit and how to determine whether conduct may constitute a criminal offence and introduces structured return to work protocols for those who may be impacted by misconduct.”
“Defence is working closely with the Department of Veterans' Affairs to establish a brain injury program to improve prevention, early detection and treatment pathways for current and former ADF members with neurocognitive issues. The royal commission highlighted disturbing failures in the treatment of women across defence and veterans systems. These failures need to be acknowledged with honesty and addressed with urgency. The Albanese government is committed to addressing these failures through the development of the Women Veterans Strategy, a comprehensive plan to ensure both current and former serving personnel are valued and properly supported at every stage of their service and transition to civilian life.”
“The strategy unites Defence and the Department of Veterans' Affairs to foster a culture of wellbeing and mental health care. I note that we've provided $4.5 million to the Department of Veterans' Affairs to commence a codesign and consultation process with the veteran community on both the wellbeing agency and an ex-service organisation peak body. A national roadshow has been held throughout this year, and more than 600 people have been consulted. We are now working to finalise the wellbeing agency operating model so that it can be established by the middle of next year. Another important initiative being pursued by the Department of Defence includes a range of preventive measures to minimise exposure to activities with a link to brain injury.”
“We will also introduce standalone legislation for the Defence and Veterans' Services Commission to ensure its independence and enhance oversight of its implementation. The royal commission identified a need for a holistic approach to wellbeing when supporting defence personnel, veterans and families. Today we have released the Defence and Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Department of Defence have been working together since 2023 to develop the strategy, together with the mental health and wellbeing action plan and the suicide prevention action plan. The strategy complements the Defence and Veteran Family Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2030, and the Veteran Transition Strategy. These are all key foundational documents for the new wellbeing agency.”
“It will provide independent oversight and evidence based advice to drive system reform to improve suicide prevention and wellbeing outcomes for the defence and veteran community. In addition, this government has announced $44.5 million in funding over four years for the Defence and Veterans' Services Commission, and we are currently recruiting the inaugural Defence and Veterans' Services Commissioner. The commissioner will have significant independent investigative powers into veterans' supports and progress on implementation of the royal commission's recommendations. This appointment will drive systemic change and champion the wellbeing of serving and ex-serving ADF members across government and the ex-service community.”
“In December 2024 we established the royal commission implementation taskforce to oversee the development of comprehensive and considered advice on implementing the response to the royal commission. Significantly, this taskforce sits within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The royal commission recommended that the most significant action the government could take to address defence and veteran suicide was to establish a new statutory oversight body with a dedicated and sustained focus on suicide prevention. We have taken action to establish this as a priority. The new Defence and Veterans' Services Commission will be up and running by the end of this month.”
“This legislation simplifies the complex veteran composition system that too often causes confusion and frustration, and which was identified by royal commission as a contributor to suicidality amongst veterans. The new legislation means that all veterans' claims will be assessed for compensation and rehabilitation under a single piece of legislation that will be simpler to use and faster to process. In September last year the royal commission released its final report with 122 recommendations. Within three months, the Albanese Labor government agreed or agreed in principle to 104 of those recommendations, and we are committed to conducting further work on the other recommendations.”
“We have cleared the unallocated compensation claims backlog, which included 41,000 cases that had been waiting to be actioned. We have ensured that new claims are now being looked at by someone in the Department of Veterans' Affairs within 14 days of being submitted. We are making good progress speeding up the system, with new liability claims under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 being processed in around 100 days. We engaged with a range of stakeholders, and after hundreds of discussions we were able to pass the Veterans' Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Act 2024 in February this year.”
“The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was established in 2021, and I note the substantial contribution of Senator Lambie, who joined with us to secure its establishment. The royal commission heard from thousands of current and former defence members and families—importantly, this included the families of those who were not there to speak for themselves. These stories were frequently heartbreaking. It was clear that systems were broken and not enough was being done to support our personnel both during and after their service. The royal commission released an interim report in August 2022, and this contained a list of urgent recommendations. I am pleased to say that the Labor government acted on all of them.”
“I have a strong personal interest in this issue. My maternal grandfather fought in the Borneo campaign towards the end of World War II, an operation conducted to liberate British North Borneo, as it was then called, from occupation by Japanese forces. My great uncle also served in World War II, including as part of the Kokoda campaign fought in Papua New Guinea. For both these men, particularly my grandfather, the scars left by those experiences affected them and their broader families for the rest of their lives. Tragically, the pain and anguish my relatives suffered, mostly in silence, after they returned home was similar to the internal battles faced by so many other veterans. In more recent times we have recognised that we have a duty to support the mental health and wellbeing of our defence and veteran community.”
“However, the gallery's contribution to the committee extends far beyond Berrima and Bowral. It's valued by all villages and towns in the Southern Highlands. Bowral Art Gallery provides a much-loved space for the community to view works of art, and, just as importantly, it supports, nurtures and inspires both established and emerging local artists. I recently visited the gallery and learnt that this not-for-profit organisation has over 500 members, that it holds over 30 exhibitions each year and that hundreds of art students develop their practice annually by learning from over 30 tutors.”
“In today's fast paced world, I congratulate these volunteers for preserving this important part of our history while educating and entertaining tens of thousands of visitors each year. I rise today to pay tribute to the Bowral & District Art Society, which recently celebrated an extraordinary milestone: its 75th anniversary. The organisation was founded in 1950 as the Berrima District Art Society and held its early meetings in the Country Women's Association rooms in Moss Vale and then Berrima Courthouse before moving, in 1970, to its current premises in Bowral, thanks to the generosity of the Bent family. The name was changed from Berrima District Art Society to Bowral & District Art Society in 2006 and has been known as Bowral Art Gallery since 2016.”
“The Ken McCarthy Museum, named after the museum's foundation chairman, features a fascinating collection of photographs, artefacts and memorabilia. Visitors can enjoy a miniature train ride and, on allocated days, can experience a slice of history by taking a steam- or diesel-driven journey on the museum's own narrow gauge track. I was delighted to visit the Illawarra Light Railway Museum in June and discovered its volunteers are passionate about educating the public in relation to the role of both steam engines and other mechanical devices in light railway operations and industry in general and the use of railways and tramways in the Illawarra Region, in particular.”
“I rise today to recognise the volunteers who operate the Illawarra Light Railway Museum, which is located at Albion Park in the electorate of Whitlam. A huge crowd attended the opening of the museum on 10 November 1984, and four decades later it attracts an extraordinary 40,000 visitors each year. These visitors come to see the wide range of historic light railway locomotives on exhibition, including some powered by steam, as well as passenger cars and other rolling stock. There is also the 1890 Yallah Railway Station building, which stood on the Illawarra main line between Dapto and Albion Park before it was close to traffic in 1974, and a 1915 signal box from Otford, which was closed in 1985 due to electrification of the Illawarra line.”
“Fifty per cent of all Australians have a parent that was born overseas, but the coalition is always willing to play the race card to sell down the river Australians who've migrated to this country or who have parents who migrated to this country, despite the fact that this is a reality for so many of us. The coalition is completely out of touch with modern Australia, and that is why they were trounced at the last election. Intergenerational equity is a core focus for this government. It isn't just a policy principle; it's a moral obligation. It means asking not just what we can afford now but what kind of legacy we're leaving behind. Labor will ensure that Australia's tax system and our broader economy reflect the values of fairness, sustainability and shared responsibility, not just for this generation but for those yet to come.”
“Australia, like many advanced economies, is undergoing significant demographic, economic and social change. We are living longer, birthrates are declining and the structure of our workforce is evolving. This is creating growing pressure on public services, such as health care, aged care and social security, while the tax base that funds these services is shrinking in relative terms. And, while we will need to continue to rely in part on immigration to ensure we can meet the needs of our economy and our workforce, the coalition feeds the lie that immigration presents a problem for our economy and that immigration is causing our housing crisis, which it is not.”
“Australians around the country will have an average of $5,000 wiped off their HECS debt, and that includes 15,000 people in my electorate of Whitlam. We're also delivering on our promise to make it as easy as possible for young people to build or buy their own home. That is why, from 1 October, all first home buyers will have access to our five per cent deposit scheme. For the average first home buyer, access to this scheme will cut years off the time it takes to save a deposit and will save tens of thousands of dollars on lenders mortgage insurance. The Albanese Labor government understands the challenge that exists within our economy around intergenerational equity. We understand the principle that each generation should have equal opportunities, responsibilities and access to resources.”
“We are working hard to make things easier for all Australians. Eight important changes come into effect from 1 July, including an increase to minimum and award wages for 2.9 million Australians, an increase to minimum required super, more paid parental leave, more help with energy bills and more help for people to get into a construction trade. Our focus on the future for our young people leaves the coalition far behind, as they continue to debate within themselves whether climate change needs drastic action—something which our young people understand acutely, because it will have a direct and dramatic impact on their future. Labor is focused on delivering real outcomes for all Australians, especially our young people, and that's why we've delivered on our commitment to cut student debt.”
“Due to this government's good management, our economy is in a strong position: annual real wages have been growing for seven consecutive quarters; the economy continues to expand; interest rates have been cut three times in six months; more than 1.1 million jobs have been created since we came to government; the average unemployment rate is the lowest of any Australian government in 50 years; the budget position has improved by more than $207 billion; and we've found more than $100 billion in savings, while our predecessors had none in their last budget. When it comes to tax, this government has a clear agenda. We are delivering three tax cuts for every single Australian taxpayer—one last year, one next year and another the year after. Labor's tax cuts benefit 14 million Australians.”
“You understand the importance of leaving no-one behind, because you have direct experience of being at risk of being left behind. Social justice is a reality; it's not just a concept. The Albanese Labor government is deeply committed to ensuring our economy works for everyone, especially for young people.”
“I'm pleased to have this opportunity to speak about one of the most important challenges facing our nation—ensuring our economy and our tax system are fair and that we deliver the opportunity to flourish for all Australians, particularly young people, both now and into the future. There's no-one better placed than our current leadership team of the Prime Minister and the Treasurer, as well as the broader Labor government, to ensure our economy and our tax system deliver for all Australians, particularly young people. The foundational principle that drives the Australian Labor Party is the concept of fairness. The Prime Minister has humble beginnings, with his roots in housing commission, as does my family. And, when you come from humble beginnings, you don't forget it.”
“My question is to the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories. How is the Albanese Labor government improving the lives and health of people living in regional and rural Australia?”
“Importantly, all patients at these urgent care clinics are fully bulk-billed, which means they receive care for free. A Medicare urgent care clinic opened in Dapto last year, and last week we launched the tender process for a second urgent care clinic in Whitlam, in Shellharbour. So far, 90 Medicare urgent care clinics have opened across Australia, with more than 1.8 million presentations since the first sites opened in June 2023. The success of these clinics is taking pressure off our hospitals, which means hospital staff can spend more time on life-threatening emergencies. I'm proud to serve in this government, which is making the largest investment in Medicare since it was created four decades ago, and this includes delivering cheaper medicines and more urgent care clinics.”
“I'm delighted to highlight the ways in which the Albanese Labor government is strengthening Medicare in my electorate of Whitlam and also across the country. Our legislation to make cheaper medicines even cheaper cuts more than 20 per cent from the maximum cost of PBS medicines, and this will save Australians over $200 million each year. This builds on other actions taken by this government over the past three years to deliver cost-of-living relief through cheaper medicines. I'm proud to report that, since winning government in 2022, Labor's cheaper medicines initiatives have saved the people in the Whitlam electorate a substantial $12.6 million. The people of Whitlam are also benefiting from Labor's Medicare urgent care clinics, which are open for extended hours seven days a week with no appointment needed.”
“I look forward to working with my colleagues who've joined Parliamentary Friends of Oceans to ensure we continue to take action to protect this incredibly valuable resource for our nation.”
“I am proud of the Albanese government's achievements when it comes to protecting our oceans. We've substantially expanded our marine parks so that over 50 per cent of Australia's oceans are now under protection. Australia now protects more ocean than any other country. Australia is a world leader in ocean protection, working domestically and with our Pacific and Indian Ocean neighbours to protect this precious and incredibly important shared resource. Our oceans support hundreds of thousands of species of marine life. We need to protect our oceans from plastic waste, pollution and overfishing to ensure we look after these amazing environments for our future generations.”
“One of the jewels in the electorate of Whitlam is The Farm at Killalea, which has been named the best beach in New South Wales and the second-best beach in Australia. This extraordinary place was protected by the local community, and was also where I learnt to surf, an experience that has only deepened my love of the ocean. Australia's beaches are iconic and form an important part of our national identity. Oceans are a vital life-support system for our planet, producing 50 to 80 per cent of the world's oxygen and acting as a significant carbon sink. I'm therefore delighted and honoured to be the co-chair of Parliamentary Friends of Oceans and Sustainable Development. This group will provide a platform for politicians from all parties, including independents, to engage with key issues affecting Australia's oceans.”
“The club has won numerous trophies since its first silverware in 1990. I would like to make special mention of the extraordinary success of the senior women's teams during the 2010s, including state cups and champion of champions titles. Last month, I had the pleasure of attending the gala dinner held to celebrate this golden anniversary. The club has gone from strength to strength over half a century, and it has a bright future. The culture of the club is wonderful and a credit to all involved. I congratulate the hardworking, long-serving current president, Simon Sciberras, and all the volunteers who've contributed to making this great community club so fantastic over the last 50 years.”
“I rise today to congratulate Albion Park Football Club on achieving a wonderful milestone: its 50th anniversary. The club was small when it was established in 1975 by Neil Young, Robert Musgrove and John Synott, but it grew significantly during the 1980s as the local population increased, and this growth has continued into the 21st century. Today, Albion Park Football Club has more than 900 registered players, and it makes a valuable contribution to our community. Other sports may receive more television coverage, but football is the most widely played team sport in Australia and is enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. I note that Albion Park Football Club has contributed to the youth careers of two Socceroos, Luke Wilkshire and Stephen Laybutt, as well as the current Matilda's megastar, Caitlin Foord.”
“We're providing $120 million from the National Productivity Fund to incentivise states to remove red tape and help more homes be built faster, and we're investing $78 million to fast-track the qualification of 6,000 tradies to help build more homes across Australia. This is a very impressive program of work. The expansion of the Home Guarantee Scheme will help many more Australians believe in the great Australian dream of homeownership, just like my grandparents and parents experienced. For all the reasons I've spoken about, I strongly support the minister's statement relating to five per cent deposits for all first home buyers.”
“In addition to expanding the Home Guarantee Scheme, the re-elected Albanese government is committed to investing $10 billion to build up to 100,000 homes reserved only for first home buyers, with no competition from property investors. We're implementing our Help to Buy shared-equity scheme, which involves the Commonwealth government pitching in up to 40 per cent of the upfront cost of a home, making it easier for a first home buyer to purchase a home with a smaller mortgage. We're delivering a $54 million targeted investment in advanced manufacturing of prefabricated and modular home construction.”
“We've delivered a 45 per cent increase in Commonwealth rent assistance, the biggest back-to-back increase in more than 30 years, helping over one million low-income Australian households pay the rent. We've made strong progress in delivering 55,000 social and affordable rental homes for the Australians who need it most. We've invested a record $1.2 billion into building new crisis and transitional accommodation to ensure that at-risk groups—including older women, younger Australians and those fleeing family and domestic violence—will have access to safe and stable housing. We've facilitated the training of more tradies through Labor's fee-free TAFE, and we've provided $10,000 incentive payments for apprentices in construction.”
“It's important to note that the Home Guarantee Scheme is just one part of the Albanese Labor government's broader, $43 billion housing agenda that is focused on building more homes, getting more Australians into homeownership and getting a better deal for renters. In its first term, this government began investing $43 billion in housing—eight times more than the coalition invested over a whole decade. It introduced a build-to-rent scheme that will help deliver 80,000 new rentals across the country, giving Australians more rental security. We've worked with states and territories to make renting fairer, with stronger protections for tenants. As a result, most states have now banned no-grounds evictions and put minimum standards in place.”
“To bring us back to 2025, the Albanese Labor government's expanded Home Guarantee Scheme will mean a first home buyer can purchase a $1 million home with a $50,000 deposit. First home buyers could save up to 10 years on the time it takes to save for a deposit, saving about $42,000 in mortgage insurance, and could pay up to $350,000 towards their own loan instead of paying rent. Importantly, the government has consulted with industry and will direct Housing Australia to promote the diversity of lenders who offer the scheme, giving first home buyers greater choice to buy a home through smaller, customer owned and regional banks. Since coming to office in 2022, Labor has helped over 180,000 first home buyers get a home of their own with a lower deposit, and the expanded scheme will help hundreds of thousands more Australians.”
“In capital cities and regional centres in my state of New South Wales, the property price cap will increase from $900,000 to $1.5 million, while in other parts of New South Wales the cap will rise from $750,000 to $800,000. The median home price in Australia today is $844,000 and five per cent of that is $42,000. The last time $42,000 covered the 20 per cent deposit for a median home was in 2002. Just to take us back to 2002, that was the year in which Queen Elizabeth II visited Australia as part of her golden jubilee world tour, Ansett Australia stopped flying after 66 years of operation and Steven Bradbury became a national icon by winning Australia's first gold medal at the Winter Olympics. This was also the year that Kath and Kim premiered on the ABC.”