Federal housing minister Julie Collins has warned opponents of the government’s multi-billion fund to build more homes to “get out of the way” as negotiations stall on the issue. The $10 billion (US$6.64 billion) Housing Australia Future Fund remains stuck in parliament, with both the coalition and the Greens not backing the proposal. The fund…

The Victorian government is offering $5 million in compensation to end an ongoing class action against it in response to placing nine public housing towers under strict lockdowns in 2020. Over 3,000 residents across nine public housing towers in North Melbourne and Flemington in Australia were detained—without notice—in their apartments from July 4 to either…

Commentary The Australian election campaign has seen a flurry of new proposals for dealing with the problem of housing affordability. There are some good elements, but mostly these proposals are bad. The most promising idea is the Coalition’s proposal to allow first home buyers to borrow up to 40 percent of their superannuation balance. The…

A report by the Victorian Ombudsman has found hard restrictions that were imposed on Melbourne’s public housing residents in June 2020 breached residents’ “rights to humane treatment when deprived of liberty.” The report (pdf) published on Aug. 4 also detailed additional cases where Victorian authorities breached the Victorian Human Rights Charter when implementing the Public…

Public housing residents in Melbourne are suing the Victorian government for allegations of assault and negligence that occurred during the two-week lockdown in July 2020. The claim, which was filed (pdf) in the Victorian Supreme Court on March 19, claims that residents were deprived of access to fresh air, exercise, and occupational activities during the…