Labor's 5% deposit cover up continues

Labor has wasted almost 7 hours of the Senate’s time this week in blocking and obfuscating. Why? Because they don’t want to comply with Orders of Production.

This is the same pattern we have seen with their failure to comply with Freedom of Information requests and their failure to respond to questions from Senate Estimates and Questions on Notice. As the Centre for Public Integrity has said, this is the most secretive government since the Keating Government. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher has said she doesn’t want to tell us how much Housing Australia is spending on luxury chairs.

While the cost of furniture for an agency which spent many millions to date but has failed to build houses might be a narrow question, the 5% deposit scheme modelling they are covering up is a matter of great public interest.

Labor only bothered to commission Treasury modelling in July 2025, three months after they announced their reckless 5% deposit plan to give unlimited access to government mortgage insurance.

The modelling apparently predicted a 0.6% increase in prices which was wiped away with a 3.6% increase in the December 2025 quarter alone for houses affected by the scheme. This scheme has set fire to the entry-level housing market, making it harder than ever for first home buyers.

The government has pump primed prices. Accordingly the Senate has ordered the modelling be produced in full, without redaction. Multiple times. Now the Senate has ordered the Minister representing the Housing Minister explain why this hasn’t been provided after Question Time today.

It is not good enough to supply pieces of paper which are almost entirely redacted. We need to see what Treasury advised and likely warned the government about.

This is the government’s chance to show it respects the Australian people and the Senate which acts on their behalf. We will be listening carefully.

[Ends]

‍