Housing industry body urges immediate action from new government on housing crisis

The Housing Industry Association has called on the newly elected Albanese government to prioritise housing policy from its first day in office.

HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin emphasised the need for immediate action rather than political posturing.

“HIA would like to congratulate the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese and the ALP for securing its term of government and it looks forward to constructively working with them in the new parliament,” Ms Martin said.

The organisation also acknowledged outgoing politicians, including Peter Dutton and Michael Sukkar, for their service.

HIA expressed concern about the growing unaffordability of housing in Australia, with Ms Martin highlighting the urgency of the situation.

“Access to a home — whether to rent or own — is becoming unattainable for too many Australians. This is a challenge that demands a major response in the first days and weeks of the new term of government,” she said.

The association has advocated for a comprehensive approach through its “Let’s Build” agenda, which focuses on planning reforms, land release, infrastructure investment and workforce development.

Ms Martin criticised the tendency to use housing policy for political gain rather than problem-solving.

“Too often, we see housing policy used as a platform to showboat rather than solve real problems. Australians want practical and meaningful reform. Holding housing legislation hostage to political theatre only pushes the dream of home ownership further out of reach,” she said.

The HIA rejected claims that housing issues fall primarily under state jurisdiction, arguing that the federal government has significant influence.

“We’ve heard it too often — that housing and planning is a state issue, or that the Commonwealth has limited levers to pull. That excuse simply doesn’t stack up anymore,” Ms Martin said.

She pointed to the recent election results as evidence that voters consider housing a priority issue requiring urgent attention.

The association has urged cross-party collaboration to implement existing solutions without further delay.

“Housing Australians must not become a casualty of politics-as-usual. We can’t afford more years of delay and stalling of key policies being implemented – we need action within weeks not years,” Ms Martin said.