Labor Senator Fatima Payman Leaves Party Amid Conflict

Independent Senator Payman, who left the Australian Labor Party (ALP) in July due to disagreements over the Israel-Hamas conflict, has raised significant concerns regarding housing affordability during Senate Question Time. She questioned Labor's commitment to addressing tax breaks like negative gearing and foreign investment, which she argues contribute to inflated housing prices, making home ownership increasingly unattainable for average Australians. In her inquiries, Senator Payman criticized the government's help-to-buy scheme, which allows first home buyers to enter the market with a lower deposit. She expressed that her constituents feel the housing market is "rigged" against them and urged the government to consider capping negative gearing and restricting foreign property purchases. Her questions prompted a defensive response from Senator Gallagher, who suggested that such inquiries were more typical of members from Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party. Senator Gallagher reiterated that the government intends to uphold its election policies, dismissing Payman's concerns about foreign investment as exaggerated. She emphasized that foreign ownership of Australian properties is minimal and that the real issue lies in the need for increased housing supply. Gallagher pointed out existing regulations on foreign ownership, which require owners to reside in their properties rather than renting them out, arguing that these measures mitigate the impact of foreign investment on the housing market. The debate highlights ongoing tensions within Australian politics regarding housing affordability and the effectiveness of current government policies in addressing the needs of prospective home buyers.