Labor and Coalition reject rent caps over housing crisis

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 21:32 · Archive

Australia's Labor government and Coalition opposition have both rejected rent caps as a solution to the country's housing affordability crisis.

Australian renters hoping for relief from soaring housing costs have been dealt a blow, with both Labor and the Coalition rejecting rent caps despite growing calls for tougher regulation.

Housing Minister Clare O'Neil acknowledged that renters were struggling but warned the policy could ultimately make the situation worse. She argued that restricting rental prices could discourage property investment and reduce the number of homes available to tenants, as landlords might take their properties off the market.

O'Neil insisted that increasing housing supply was the only sustainable solution, pointing to federal investment in construction, land availability and workforce development. She claimed that more homes were under construction in Australia than at any previous time on record.

Shadow attorney-general Michaelia Cash clashed with O'Neil during a Wednesday appearance on the television programme Sunrise, arguing that the government's approach had failed renters. Cash accused Labor of allowing migration to outpace housing construction.

How it is being reported

• Labor and Coalition reject rent caps as Clare O’Neil and Michaelia Cash clash over Australia’s housing crisisLabor and the Coalition have found rare common ground on Australia’s housing crisis, but their agreement could come as a bitter blow to struggling renters.The West Australian · 13 Oct, 21:10
• Labor and Coalition reject rent caps as Clare O’Neil and Michaelia Cash clash over Australia’s housing crisisLabor and the Coalition have found rare common ground on Australia’s housing crisis, but their agreement could come as a bitter blow to struggling renters.Perth Now · 13 Oct, 21:10

In this story: Clare O'Neil · Michaelia Cash · Australia · Albanese Government

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem