THE Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed yesterday's announcement to bring forward the start of the expanded Federal Government Home Guarantee Scheme to October 1.

"This promises to open doors for more people and is an important boost for aspirational home buyers in Australia,”  HIA managing director Jocelyn Martin said.

“This will make homeownership more accessible to those who may have previously been locked out of the market and something HIA successfully advocated for in lead up to this year’s election.

“Since its inception, HIA has been strongly supportive of the Home Guarantee Scheme. To date the scheme has helped more than 210,000 Australians get into a home of their own," she said.

“Previously the scheme has been capped at 50,000 new places each year, but today’s announcement will mean there are no caps or income limits and property prices have been adjusted in line with average house prices in both metropolitan and regional areas.

“This will mean more Australians can access the scheme and get into housing sooner," Ms Martin said.

“Under the First Home Guarantee, an eligible first home buyer can purchase a property with a deposit of as little as five percent.

“The guarantee offers help to those Australians looking to buy their first home, recognising that saving for a deposit is the largest obstacle to achieving home ownership.

“With the current cost pressures on households, a first home buyer is facing years to save a deposit and in that time they risk being priced out of the market.

”Recent analysis of the scheme shows that more than one third of all guarantees were issued to buyers in regional areas. It also showed an increasing proportion of younger buyers participated in the scheme each year since its inception highlighting its importance to a broad range of Australian’s.

“HIA has always maintained that owning your own home is the best form of financial and personal security a person can have. The expanded Home Guarantee Scheme goes a long way to helping that dream become a reality,” Ms Martin said.

www.hia.com.au

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REWIRING Australia has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement to boost the development of renewable energy projects by proposing new guidelines for research and demonstration licenses. 

Energy Minister Chris Bowen today unveiled the plans to offer the updated licenses, which would encourage researchers, scientists and others to research new wind technology to ensure Australia is at the cutting edge of the sector. 

The licenses would be offered in all six declared offshore wind zones, including the Hunter region in New South Wales.

Rewiring Australia’s founder and chief scientist, Saul Griffith has spent years across Australia and the USA developing and engineering innovative renewable energy technologies, including floating offshore wind.

“The development and testing of this kind of technology is critical if we are going to get the most out of it in Australia. We need to encourage investment and innovation and this is one important way to do that,” Dr Griffith said. 

The Federal Government today said the projects might include monitoring technology to examine the feasibility of offshore wind for a region, or projects designed to demonstrate the viability of new technologies. 

Importantly, it is expected to slash the cost of the initial R&D license, making early-stage projects for proving deep-water technologies more financially viable and de-risking larger-scale investment.

“Australia is in a unique position; we not only have abundant sun to support solar, but with the sixth longest coastline in the world and 85% of our population within 50km of that coast, we’re well placed to scale up our offshore wind capabilities.

“A diverse mix of renewable energy will make Australia less reliant on imported fuels and expensive and aging fossil fuel plants," he said.

“We have the ability to become a renewable energy superpower in Australia, and supporting our innovators is one of the best ways to do that. Harnessing the strong winds out to sea will help deliver clean energy around the clock, and help us close down our expensive, ageing coal power stations on time, which is good for the energy bills of all Australian households,” Dr Griffith said. 

The Federal Government today said it was seeking feedback on the proposed new guidelines from today until October 3. 

“I commend the Federal Government for opening up the gates to crucial investments in offshore wind technologies with this license proposal. With the right framework to get this industry established, Australia can be a leader in this global energy opportunity,” Dr Griffith said. 

www.rewiringaustralia.org

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has commenced an inquiry into the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Partnership and Collaboration Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The treaty, signed in Geelong on July 26, 2025, forms a key component of the AUKUS partnership and outlines collaborative efforts to support Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines.

The committee has invited interested individuals and organisations to make submissions addressing the treaty and its implications. Submissions are due by Tuesday, September 2, 2025, and can be lodged online via the Committee website.

Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP said, "This inquiry is a vital opportunity for the public to engage with one of the most significant defence and strategic agreements in Australia’s recent history. We encourage stakeholders to share their views."

Detailed guidance on preparing and submitting submissions is available on the Committee’s website.

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THE National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) and Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) have warned of serious risks to freedom of expression stemming from a code of conduct adopted by the Bendigo Writers Festival.

The festival issued a code of conduct to participants in La Trobe University-sponsored events directing them to “avoid language or topics that could be considered inflammatory, divisive, or disrespectful”.

It also mandated adherence to La Trobe’s Anti-Racism Plan, which adopts the Universities Australia definition of antisemitism. 

More than 50 writers, academics and hosts including NTEU and MEAA members withdrew from the festival over the code. 

“It’s especially galling that La Trobe University management has used its role as a sponsor of the festival to stifle academic freedom and freedom of expression – the very principles universities are built on," NTEU national president Alison Barnes said.

“This is exactly why the NTEU strongly argued against Universities Australia’s definition of antisemitism – it risks conflating uncomfortable criticism of government policies with discrimination.

“The NTEU will always unequivocally oppose all forms of racism and discrimination including antisemitism and Islamophobia," Dr Barnes said.

MEAA acting chief executive Adam Portelli said, “MEAA supports creative and media workers' right to freedom of expression, even when uncomfortable or inconvenient. In fact, it is in the very nature of artistic expression to be disruptive.

“These workers deserve the freedom to express opinions without fear of being silenced or censored," he said.

“This can be done while ensuring an environment free from discrimination and vilification.”

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