THE Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the establishment of the Senate Economics References Committee Inquiry into social housing, describing it as an important opportunity to identify the reforms needed to deliver more housing of all forms at scale and address the bottlenecks holding back housing supply broadly.

HIA said the inquiry comes at a critical time with governments struggling to meet housing supply targets and the mismatch between supply and demand continues to grow.

"The critical question for this inquiry is not whether Australia needs more social housing. The question is how governments can remove the barriers preventing enough housing of all types from being built," HIA managing director, Jocelyn Martin said.

"The inquiry should focus on practical reforms that deliver more housing across the continuum rather than simply expanding existing programs or producing another report identifying the problems without delivering concrete solutions industry has called for across multiple Inquiries and reports.

"A key area for consideration should be improvements on the operation of the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF), including whether current delivery models are maximising the capacity of the broader residential building industry," she said.

“Australia's detached housing sector has extensive experience delivering large volumes of housing across metropolitan, regional and growth areas.

"We should be looking at how to bring more of these detached home builders into the system, create greater competition and deliver more homes for every dollar invested,” Ms Martin said.

“The inquiry should also recognise that social housing outcomes cannot be improved without addressing the broader constraints affecting the entire housing system.

"Whether it is social housing, affordable housing or private housing, we are building with the same planning systems, the same infrastructure networks and the same workforce.

"If governments want more social housing, they must also tackle planning delays, infrastructure bottlenecks, workforce shortages and rising construction costs that are constraining housing delivery across the board,” Ms Martin said.

"The residential building industry continues to face substantial workforce shortages, limiting the sector's ability to increase supply at the scale required.

"HIA will use the inquiry to advocate for reforms that increase housing supply across all tenures while ensuring social housing forms part of a balanced national housing strategy.

"The long-term solution to Australia's housing challenges is increasing housing supply across the spectrum.

"We need more social housing, more affordable housing and more private housing.

"This Inquiry provides an opportunity to ensure government investment is delivering the maximum number of homes possible and making use of the full capacity of Australia's residential building industry,” Ms Martin said.

www.hia.com.au

ends

THIS Friday, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works (the committee) will examine witnesses from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (the Department) on their proposed fit-out of new leased premises at London Central, 40-60 London Circuit, Canberra City.

The department is proposing to fit-out 46,389 square metres of newly leased office accommodation at 40-60 London Circuit, Canberra. The London Central development is scheduled for completion in early 2030, with the department expected to start move staff into the new building in March 2030.

The proposed works will enable the department to consolidate its Canberra-based workforce from five buildings into a single precinct. The total estimated cost of the proposal is $153.5 million, with a total construction cost of 110.6 million, or $2,375 per square metre.

The committee will be briefed in private about the project followed by the public hearing with departmental officials.

Interested members of the public are encouraged to listen in to the public hearing via the APH website or attend the hearing in person at the location listed below.

Date: Friday, 21 August 2026
Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra
Time: 11:30am – 12:10pm (AEST)

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live

Note: the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works is not involved in the tendering process, awarding of contracts or details of the proposed works. Enquiries on these matters should be directed to the relevant Commonwealth entities.

ends

THE Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is holding a public hearing on Friday, August 21, with representatives of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and Advance, as part of its inquiry into the conduct of the 2025 Federal Election.

"The committee has heard many reports about significant and apparently coordinated disruption at polling booths during the 2025 election," Committee Chair, Jerome Laxale MP said. "The committee will be seeking to build its understanding of third party engagement to ensure a positive experience for voters in future elections.

"I look forward to the cooperation of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and Advance at the hearing," Mr Laxale said.

The program for the hearing is available on the committee’s public hearings webpage. The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

Further information on the 2025 election inquiry can be found at the inquiry webpage. Committee details can be found at the Committee’s webpage.

ends

THE Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) have welcomed the appointment of Royal Commission and announcement of the Terms of Reference into crime and misconduct in Vitoria's construction industry.  

For too long allegations about crime and corruption on Victorian building sites have threatened the integrity of taxpayer funded infrastructure projects, fundamentally undermining public trust in the sector and the state's capital program.  

Last month, VCCI and ACCI came together to call for a Royal Commission in a bid to restore confidence and public trust in this vital industry along with a range of other important measures to prevent and tackle corruption.  

VCCI has long called for the expansion of IBAC's powers and welcomes the government's indication it will advance legislation to deliver this.  

VCCI chief executive Sally Curtain said, “Those involved in the industry who are honest and hardworking deserve a system that protects them, not one that enables intimidation, coercion or criminal gain.

“It is vital we get to the bottom of what’s occurred and put in place mechanisms to prevent it from happening in the future.

“Restoring confidence in the sector requires clear rules, stronger enforcement and the political will to act.  It is encouraging that Premier Ben Carroll has moved quickly to establish this Royal Commission.” 

ACCI chief executive officer Andrew McKellar said, “Corruption has infected the Victorian construction sector to its core, and only a Royal Commission can expose its full extent and drive the systemic change required.

“We welcome the Victorian Premier’s decision to establish this inquiry, which must be fearless and prepared to pursue wrongdoing wherever the evidence leads.

“Victorians deserve to know that every taxpayer dollar spent on infrastructure is protected from corruption, intimidation and criminal influence.” 

www.victorianchamber.com.au

www.acci.com.au

ends