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The Greens today have successfully deferred consideration of the HAFF bill until after National Cabinet determines its approach to rapidly rising rents later this year. 

After months of sustained pressure from the Greens, Labor caved and met the Greens demand for immediate direct funding to tackle the crisis, with a one-off $2 billion for housing and guaranteeing $500 million a year from 2024/25. But this still falls significantly short of meeting the need, and will see housing waiting lists get longer, and there’s no reason Labor couldn’t spend the modest sum of $2.5 billion a year rebuilding public housing in Australia.

The pressure is now on Labor – which holds every National Cabinet seat on the mainland – to act on the rental crisis. Renters rights are on the National Cabinet and Housing Ministers’ meetings agenda, and further meetings are expected between August and October.

​​Capital city rents increased six times faster than wages in the last year. The RBA Governor expects rents will increase another 10% this year, and noted ‘some people are experiencing bigger increases than that’. On the weekend Labor incentivised the states to pass planning reform in exchange for the $2 billion housing spend, and they could use exactly the same model to incentivise a freeze and cap on rent increases.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt said:

“Unlimited rent increases should be illegal.

“The pressure is now on the Prime Minister and the Labor Premiers to act on a rent freeze and limit rent increases. 

“This is a test for Labor. It’s wall-to-wall Labor across the mainland, so rent rises are their responsibility.

“For months we have been calling for two things: real money on housing now, not after the next election, and action to limit soaring rents. For months Labor has said this was impossible. Over the weekend, Labor found an extra $2b to start going out the door in two weeks’ time, but they still won’t act on rents.

“We shouldn’t have to fight this hard to get Labor to limit rent increases during this rental and housing crisis.

“In parts of the country, rents were frozen during the pandemic and the situation is even worse now.

“Labor could negotiate a two-year rent freeze and limits on rent increases after that in the same way they just negotiated the states passing planning reform: by putting money on the table at National Cabinet.

“If Labor acts on soaring rents at National Cabinet, their bill can pass.”

Max Chandler Mather, Greens housing and homelessness spokesperson said:

“Pressure works. To everyone who told us to pass the HAFF six months ago, I say look at the events of the weekend. When we hold the line we get outcomes, and we need to see outcomes for renters.

“The Prime Minister must show leadership at National Cabinet and put money on the table to coordinate national limits on rent increases, otherwise Labor will abandon millions of renters to unlimited rent increases and poverty.

“The reason the Greens are fighting so hard to limit rent increases is because unless we stop rents skyrocketing the queues for public housing will blow out and our chances of tackling this crisis will drop to zero.

“First Labor said it was impossible to spend directly on housing, and then they did it. Now they say it’s impossible to coordinate national limits on rent increases, but it’s not.

“If Labor can spend $2 billion in one year then they can spend that every year and they can certainly coordinate proper national limits on rent increases.

“There are millions of renters staring down the barrel of eviction or financial stress if they cop one more massive rent increase, so just like Labor coordinated energy price caps they now must do the same and cap rents.

“The only reason Labor caved and agreed to spend $2 billion right now on housing is because the Greens stood up and fought, and we aren’t going to stop fighting for proper limits on rent increases and serious money every year for public housing.

“When interest rates come down, rents will stay high. Rents never go backwards. If Labor doesn’t act now, they’re sleepwalking into a crisis that will see housing get less affordable, more people evicted and hundreds of thousands of people joining the housing waiting list.”

The Albanese Government will provide a further $4.45 million to respond to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

The funds will be used to provide immediate life-saving protection and assistance, including food, water and emergency medical supplies, delivered through the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The additional support was announced overnight by Foreign Minister Penny Wong at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Ministerial-level Pledging Event to Support the Humanitarian Response in Sudan and the Region.

It brings Australia’s contribution to Sudan and related support in neighbouring countries to $10.45 million.

Australia has already committed $1 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross and $5 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to deliver humanitarian assistance in the region helping those fleeing the crisis in Sudan.

Australia is deeply concerned for the communities impacted by the conflict, with over two million people displaced inside Sudan and across its borders, and around half the population in need of humanitarian aid and protection.

This humanitarian assistance will help to ease the immediate suffering, but a negotiated political solution is the only path forward for the people of Sudan.

The Australian Government urges all parties to the conflict to ensure humanitarian agencies are given safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to deliver life-saving assistance to the people of Sudan.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong said:

“Australia is deeply distressed about the loss of life and destruction that is happening as result of the escalating conflict across Sudan. It is putting unprecedented strain on a region already dealing with a historic drought.”

“These funds will provide immediate relief to the most vulnerable people facing violence and food insecurity.”

“Australia will continue to work with our international partners to deliver essential humanitarian aid in Sudan and throughout the region.”

Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP said:

“Two months into this crisis in Sudan, humanitarian need is rapidly escalating.”

“Australia’s support to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will provide life-saving assistance and protection in Sudan and its region.”

Assistant Minister Foreign Affairs, the Hon Tim Watts MP said:

“Over two million people have fled since the beginning of the conflict and are now displaced inside Sudan and in neighbouring countries.”

“Additional funding from Australia will deliver vital support to vulnerable people facing conflict and food insecurity.”

Prime Minister Albanese and His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam met in Canberra today to elevate the Australia-Brunei Darussalam relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership.

The elevation of our bilateral relationship demonstrates the practical steps that Australia is taking to strengthen ties with our Southeast Asian neighbours.

The Comprehensive Partnership articulates our shared aspirations for a peaceful and prosperous region, and our respect for international law, sovereignty, open markets and ASEAN Centrality.

Under this new Partnership, Australia and Brunei Darussalam will work together on a range of issues including trade and investment, maritime security, education, the transition to net-zero and increased food security.

The Partnership will also see our countries deepen longstanding defence cooperation. To reflect our defence partnership and shared aspirations for a peaceful and stable region, His Majesty will travel to Darwin to visit Robertson Barracks and meet Australian Defence Force personnel.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“I am pleased to embark on a Comprehensive Partnership with Brunei Darussalam.

“The Partnership offers a chance to cooperate on the net-zero transition in the region, strengthen trade ties, and deepen cooperation on defence and security.

“It affirms our shared support for ASEAN as the region’s central platform for open, transparent and rules-based dialogue.”

The Albanese Government is providing $6.2 million to The Embrace Collective for their Embrace Kids program to help kids tackle body image issues to live happier, healthier lives now and in the future.

Body image is a serious issue for Australians, especially for our kids, and the problem is getting worse.

The number of young Australians (16-25 years) reporting Body Image Distress has risen by 33 per cent since 2009, with 77 per cent self-reporting body image distress in 2015.

Australia’s young minds are exposed to harmful body image messages through social media, advertising, their peers and influence of adults in their lives.

These harmful messages are highly pervasive and if left unchecked, exposure can lead to poor body image. This can contribute to the development of eating disorders, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, increased suicidal intentions and ideation. It must stop.

The Embrace Kids program is a national initiative led by 2023 Australian of the Year, Taryn Brumfitt and international body image expert Dr Zali Yager.

Ms Brumfitt is the director of documentaries Embrace and Embrace Kids and Executive Director of The Embrace Collective alongside Dr Yager, who is also an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Institute for Health and Sport at Victoria University.

Embrace Kids will deliver a nationwide program of educational activities and events in schools, sport clubs and the wider community. This program will help give kids the tools to dispel negative body image messages and reach their full potential.

The Albanese Government is committed to building the evidence base for eating disorders care and investing in evidence-based programs. The Embrace Collective will be undertaking an independent evaluation of the Embrace Kids Australia Program as part of this funding.

the Prime Minister said:

“Any parent with young children or teenagers knows just how much their kids are bombarded with images and expectations of bodies and the way that can impact how their child feels about themselves.

“Teaching kids to celebrate how amazing their bodies are is a powerful way to dispel some of the negative, harmful body image messages out there.”

Minister Butler said:

“The Australian Government is investing $6.2 million in the Embrace Kids program so children, parents, carers, teachers and coaches have the tools to combat body image and body shaming issues before they arise.

“This funding aims to prevent harm and intervene early in a fun, positive way. I want all our kids to appreciate their bodies and celebrate the diversity of bodies as they go about living their best lives.”

Assistant Minister Gorman said:

“As Australian of the Year, Taryn Brumfitt has led our national discussion about body image and reminding all Australians that our bodies are the vehicle to achieve our dreams.

“Today’s announcement adds to her important work as Australian of the Year 2023.”

Assistant Minister McBride said:

“Body dysmorphia is complex and often misunderstood. As a government we are determined to understand it better and support what works.

“We’re committed to prevention and proud to support Embrace while following its success in primary, high schools, sporting clubs and through community events.”

Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt said:

“This is an incredibly important announcement that will benefit young Australians right across the country.”

“There is a huge problem with the way young people feel about themselves and it’s having a profoundly negative impact on people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.”

“77% of adolescents are in body image distress, rates of eating disorders, self-harm, steroid use related to body dissatisfaction are on the rise.

“We also know that adolescents with a poor body image are 24 times more likely to have and develop depression.”

“I want to thank the Prime Minister and Minister Butler for listening to the growing evidence this is something we can – and must – act on.”

“I’m so proud of the work we do at The Embrace Collective and now it’s our job to ensure this investment makes a difference to as many lives as we can.”

The Albanese Government is delivering more than $610 million to New South Wales to immediately begin boosting social housing stock.

Part of the $2 billion Social Housing Fund Accelerator payment, the funding will be provided to States and Territories within the next two weeks, and will deliver thousands of new social homes across Australia.

Funding has been allocated on a per capita basis with a minimum of $50 million allocated to each State and Territory.

This investment will build more housing, for more Australians, in more parts of our nation.

The Albanese Labor Government knows a secure home will give more Australians the foundation for a better future.

States and territories will have flexibility in how they permanently boost social housing stock, including through new builds, expanding existing programs, renovating or refurbishing existing but currently uninhabitable housing stock.

This will create thousands of homes for Australians on social housing waiting lists and will increase housing supply sooner, with all funding to be committed by States and Territories within two years ending 30 June 2025.

This continues the work of the new National Housing Accord, a shared ambition to build one million new homes over five years from 2024, and builds on the work of National Cabinet on renters’ rights and planning reforms.

The Albanese Government will continue to work with State and Territory Governments to address housing affordability, supply, and homelessness.

The $2 billion in additional funding brings the Albanese Government’s investment in housing and homelessness to more than $9.5 billion in this financial year to 30 June.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“My Government is delivering $610 million to New South Wales, within the next two weeks, to immediately boost social housing supply.

“We know Australians want practical solutions, and we’ll work with the Minns Government to get on with the job of delivering more social housing.

“This is real dollars, driving real change and building more homes for Australians.”

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Julie Collins said:

“At every opportunity, the Albanese Government has added to our already ambitious housing agenda.

“This significant new funding will help build more of the rental homes that we know New South Wales needs.

“We could do even more if the Senate stopped blocking our $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund – the single biggest investment in social and affordable rental housing by a Federal Government in more than a decade.”

State	Funding
New South Wales	$610 million
Victoria	$496 million
Queensland	$398 million
Western Australia	$209 million
South Australia	$135 million
Tasmania	$50 million
Northern Territory	$50 million
Australian Capital Territory	$50 million