'That's at risk this election': candidates warning about affordable homes (2025)

The Australian Labor Party has said a Peter Dutton-led government would cost Tasmanians 1200 new social and affordable homes, 700 of which are in different stages of development.

At an event in Campbell Town, federal candidate for Lyons Rebecca White reaffirmed her party's commitment to the Housing Australian Future Fund. She criticised Liberal leader Peter Dutton for saying he wants to see the program go.

In response, the Liberals have insisted they would assist housing development with funding for infrastructure.

"Peter Dutton has been very clear that he does not support the Housing Australia Future Fund," she said.

The event was held next to a vacant plot of land, which Ms White said had been pre-approved for development under the program.

"What we see behind me is a vacant block of land, and this vacant block of land represents the hope of 26 new homeowners."

"That's at risk this election."

Federal Housing and Homelessness Minister Clare O'Neil said the housing crisis had been a long time coming and that only a Labor government could fix it.

"We've got a housing crisis that's 40 years in the making," she said.

"Our government has committed to building about 1200 new social and affordable dwellings here in Tasmania - more than 1000 of those will not proceed if Peter Dutton is Prime Minister."

When asked for comment Senator for Tasmania Claire Chandler said the Liberal Party would assist housing development by investing in infrastructure and reiterated prior policies the party had announced.

"In order to ensure houses actually get built the Coalition will invest $5 billion to fund essential infrastructure such as water, power, sewerage and roads," she said.

"To ensure there is more housing stock for Tasmanians we are going to slash overseas migration.

"And to give first homebuyers a leg-up, the Coalition will allow them to invest up to $50,000 from their own super into their first home."

Ms O'Neil criticised the Liberal Party's decision to slash the Housing Australian Future Fund and their lack of policy when it comes to building new houses.

"Why would you cut housing funding in the middle of a housing crisis?" she said.

"Why would you commit to building fewer homes when so many people in the beautiful state are struggling with accommodation?"

Ms White acknowledged the state's need for housing and said the Housing Australia Future Fund is a core part of meeting that demand.

"That is why the federal Labor government has made such a big effort in building housing across the country," she said.

"It is why the Housing Australia Future Fund has been such a key part of the Labor government's agenda to make sure that we can support the construction of more homes so that more people can find a safe place to call home and put a roof over their heads."