Opposition housing minister Andrew Bragg has labelled Labor’s Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) a “disaster” that has only delivered 889 completed homes in two years, falling behind on a goal of 40,000 properties over five years.
The Liberal senator said he is working on a policy that would threaten the states with a big stick: withholding federal funding from states unless they hit social and affordable housing goals.
“We would look at potentially coercive measures against the states which fail to meet their targets,” Bragg told 7NEWS.
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“Right now we give the states a lot of blank cheques. We say ‘here is some money for infrastructure’ and we don’t tie it to any housing outcomes.
“If we are serious about getting houses built we have to help the states do that.”
Bragg is working on a speech that will reveal further details about the policy in coming weeks, 7NEWS understands.
Housing fund falters The Albanese Government launched round three of the HAFF at the weekend, promising 21,350 new social and affordable homes.
It follows rounds one and two, which are supporting 18,650 homes. However, fewer than 900 have been completed and 9501 are under construction.
Housing Australia chief executive Scott Langford said the “next round is about accelerating delivery and deepening partnerships”.
“We’ve seen momentum building in the first two rounds, and now we’re calling on partners to work together to provide all 40,000 homes by 2029,” Langford said.
“Together, we can create lasting impact on the housing system and provide homes for those who need them most.”
Housing Minister Clare O’Neil said Australia’s housing crisis comes from a housing shortage, “so all governments have to build.”
“That’s exactly what the Albanese Labor Government is doing by supporting thousands of social and affordable homes in every corner of our country,” O’Neil said.
“After a decade of dithering under the Coalition and relentless opposition in the Parliament, the HAFF is building. More homes, more speed, more scale.”
Opposition housing minister Andrew Bragg has labelled Labor’s Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) a ‘disaster’. Credit: Mick Tsikas/AAP Coalition criticism Bragg and the Opposition, though, have been scathing of the program and its delivery.
“The HAFF has been one of the greatest disasters in my lifetime in terms of public administration,” Bragg said.
“It has $10 billion and has built a handful of houses, many of which have been purchased.
“(The Coalition) wouldn’t have that bureaucratic approach. We would work with the states to get public and social housing numbers up.”
Dwelling approvals peaked at 23,123 a month under the Morrison government in March 2021.
Approvals were at 17,019 for September 2025, but the numbers fluctuate monthly due to seasonal reasons.