Independent Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines has reinstated her call for dedicated funding to unlock housing in regional areas, as Federal Parliament sat for the first time after the winter recess.

Speaking on a motion she introduced into the House of Representatives on Monday morning, Dr Haines asked the government to acknowledge and act on the absence of housing policy that specifically addresses the needs of regional, rural and remote Australia.

“30% of Australian homeowners are in mortgage stress and more than three-quarters of Victorian renters are in extreme rental stress, showing the depth of this crisis,” Dr Haines said.

“According to SuburbTrend’s rental pain index, two towns in my electorate, Wodonga and Alexandra, are among the 10 most stressed towns in Victoria for renters.”

“The federal government has no housing policies specifically targeted at the housing needs of regional, rural and remote Australia and they need to acknowledge and fix this.”

Dr Haines introduced the Unlocking Regional Housing Bill in 2023, which would quarantine 30% of housing funding for regional, rural and remote Australia and at the time was blocked by the Government.

“The Unlocking Regional Housing Bill that I introduced to Parliament last year would guarantee a fair share of funding for communities like Benalla, Wangaratta and Wodonga.”

This was accompanied by a renewed call for a dedicated regional housing infrastructure fund to provide critical infrastructure the regions need to unlock new housing.

“Modelling shows the regions alone require $2 billion in investment for enabling infrastructure to commence building, yet we’ve only got $1.5 billion allocated to the program for the whole nation.”

“Too often it is the lack of infrastructure that holds back new homes. It’s not glamorous, and it’s expensive, and more Commonwealth support is needed.”

“We’re seeing some funding, but it’s piecemeal and lacking the strategic assurance that local governments and communities need to support their planning.”

Dr Haines’ speech can be accessed here.

ENDS