Housing Minister Clare O'Neil says Australia's housing market is experiencing a correction following COVID amid low auction clearance rates in major capital cities.Follow all the updates in our live blog.Collapse all postsFilter PostsAll19Key Events4Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 9:58amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 9:58amMaria Kovacic says Liberal Party's policy on migration is centred on valuesBy Joshua BoscainiLiberal senator Maria Kovacic, a first generation Australian, says her party's policy on migration is centred around shared values.Kovacic, a NSW senator, says the Liberal Party doesn't want to see migrants bring "imported hatreds" and "imported biases"."What we don't want is people who come here and want to create friction, division, and to target individuals here with who they are, not with whom they are not aligned," Kovacic says.Asked if she's concerned Angus Taylor wasn't able to say the word multiculturalism yesterday, Kovacic says Taylor's views are aligned with hers."We believe in an Australia where people live together, work together and build our country together, and migrants have been a core part of that in modern history," Kovacic says."Anyone that's trying to suggest that we are not for that, that that is not part of our plan and that is not part of who we are as a party, perhaps actually doesn't understand what they're talking about."Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 9:48amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 9:48amDeputy Liberal leader throws support behind multiculturalismBy Joshua BoscainiDeputy Liberal leader Jane Hume has thrown her support behind multiculturalism after her leader's comments yesterday.On Tuesday, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor refused to commit to multiculturalism following multiple questions from journalists.Speaking to reporters in Canberra, Hume has called the discussion about her leader's comments on multiculturalism "ridiculous".The deputy Liberal leader says she's sure that herself and Taylor are aligned on multiculturalism."I reject … the politics of identity of the left or multiculturalism but my goodness, I also reject the policy of cultural fear from the right," Hume says."We are a multicultural society. Let's face it, we already are. Goodness me."I don't really care where you came from. I don't give two hoots what your country of origin is. What I care about is whether you're going to contribute to building our nation."Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 9:34amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 9:34amHanson says paid parental leave has her 'full support' despite Press Club commentsBy Caitlin MaloneyOne Nation leader Pauline Hanson has said the government's extension to paid parental leave has her "full support" as she entered the Senate this morning.The One Nation leader told the National Press Club last week it was "fair enough" if women were not paid when they took time off to have a child, asking: "Why should business pay them if they are not at work?"But yesterday Hanson walked away from those comments, saying she was "taken completely out of context" and that she meant businesses could not afford it.From July 1, the government's paid parental leave scheme will increase by 10 days, to six months of leave.Hanson said this morning that she has no problem with paid parental leave."Well paid parental leave, I've got no problem with and I've always supported it," Hanson said."It's very beneficial to families and women who want to have children if they're working to have it.""My concern is if it's put on big business or any business at all, paid parental leave, they wouldn't be able to afford it."Key EventWed 24 Jun 2026 at 9:22amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 9:22amLabor not interested in Coalition offer to help pass NDIS lawsBy Holly TregenzaIt seems unlikely the government is going to take the Coalition up on their offer to help pass the NDIS bill this fortnight.The government has already promised to extend the inquiry into the laws in exchange for getting the Greens on board to pass their tax changes.A government source says they'll be sticking with their original plan to extend the inquiry, rather than working with the opposition before parliament rises next week for a five week break.They could technically back track on the Greens deal after the tax changes are passed, which we expect to happen tomorrow.But that would not bode well for trust between the two parties, and trust is a valuable commodity in the Senate where the government needs support from outside its own ranks to pass legislation.On the other hand, Labor has repeatedly warned delaying these changes would come at a big cost to the economy.Yesterday, NDIS Minister Mark Butler said the delay the government has already committed to, until August, would cost "a few hundred million" dollars.Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 9:14amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 9:14amAndrew Bragg says time will tell if housing market is experiencing correctionBy Joshua BoscainiShadow Housing Minister Andrew Bragg says time will tell on whether Australia's housing market is experiencing a correction.This morning, Housing Minister Clare O'Neil said the housing market was experiencing a correction following low auction clearance rates.But speaking to ABC News Breakfast, the shadow housing minister says entry level housing is still persistently higher prices."It's a long game housing and I'm not sure that she's a forecaster," Bragg says."Ultimately, until we see a larger amount of housing supplied, I don't think we're going to see price stability or affordability."Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 8:57amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 8:57amEnergy Minister Chris Bowen asks ACCC to look into fixed cost price increasesBy Isabella TolhurstEnergy Minister Chris Bowen has somewhat downplayed a letter he wrote to the consumer watchdog, asking it to investigate increases to energy prices. Some companies, including Origin Energy have announced increases to electricity prices, despite the Australian Energy Regulator reducing the default market offer. Bowen insists that energy prices are coming down as a whole but says some companies have chosen to increase their fixed supply costs. The energy minister says a subsequent reduction in per-kilowatt costs balances things out. "Companies have told me even with the increase in fixed costs, because of they're reducing the cost per kilowatt hour, most customers will receive a reduction," he said. He says he's asked the ACCC to look into the fixed cost price increases, so he can be reassured the companies price hikes are above board. "What I've asked the regulators to do is to have a look at and ensure that complies, particularly with prohibiting misconduct in energy market laws, which require companies to pass on sustained reduction in energy costs in their bills," he said.Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 8:56amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 8:56amNick McKim says Greens couldn't negotiate grandfathering out of budget measuresBy Joshua BoscainiGreens senator Nick McKim says the party couldn't negotiate the grandfathering out of the government's capital gains tax and negative gearing changes in the budget.The Greens are opposed to grandfathering of Labor's capital gains tax and negative gearing changes, but couldn't secure its removal.Instead, the party cut a deal that stops self-managed super funds from borrowing to purchase housing and an extension to the NDIS inquiry.Speaking to ABC Radio National Breakfast, McKim says"Labor unfortunately made it clear to us that they weren't prepared to shift on the basic parameters of the policy," McKim says."Now what we have done is negotiate a change to the borrowing arrangements for self-managed super funds that will step this policy a little bit further in the right direction."It will take a little bit more demand out of the housing market, which will mean that housing over time should become slightly more affordable for people."Key EventWed 24 Jun 2026 at 8:47amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 8:47amCoalition offers to pass NDIS changes this fortnight despite inquiry extensionBy Caitlin MaloneyLiberal frontbencher Jonathon Duniam says the Coalition is willing to work with the government to pass their changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) this fortnight, despite an extension to an inquiry looking into the bill.The Greens yesterday negotiated to extend the inquiry for eight weeks, in a deal that will also pass the government's changes to the capital gains tax and negative gearing through the Senate.But Duniam says the Coalition is ready to work with the government to pass the NDIS bill before parliament rises for the winter break next week and before the inquiry reports back in August."They don't have to hold back just to appease the Greens," Duniam said."This scheme is costing Australian taxpayers far too much."We are prepared to work day and night for the rest of this fortnight to pass those laws."The NDIS changes announced in this year's federal budget are expected to save $38 billion over the next four years.Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 8:40amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 8:40amLabor will seek to pass NDIS changes through parliament in AugustBy Joshua BoscainiFinance Minister Katy Gallagher says the government will seek to pass its changes to the NDIS in the second sitting week in August.The federal government wants to save nearly $38 billion from the scheme over the forward estimates and reduce spending growth.The government doesn't have the numbers to pass the changes through the Senate because the Greens won't support it and the Coalition hasn't locked in their support.Asked what concessions the government is willing to make to pass the NDIS changes, Gallagher says she's not aware of any amendments put forward by the Coalition."We've had some positive soundings that they want to see some of these costs reined in as well. But we haven't seen anything from them," Gallagher says.Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 8:33amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 8:33amTanya Plibersek leaves door open to further paid parental leave extensionsBy Joshua BoscainiSocial Services Minister Tanya Plibersek has left the door open to further extensions of paid parental leave.Plibersek has stepped up at a press conference with the finance minister to announce families will be eligible for six months of government paid parental leave from July 1.The social services minister says the government's priority is to make sure that the current round of increases is "done right"."The first thing to say is, of course, we're proud of the expansions we've made. We'll always look to do more to support working families, but we also need to protect what we have from the conservative parties," Plibersek says.Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 8:22amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 8:22amTax experts and self-managed super funds criticise Labor–Greens deal as 'policy on the run'By Clare ArmstrongA ban on self-managed super funds borrowing money to buy housing has blindsided the sector, which says Labor should instead target "unscrupulous" operators spruiking property as an investment.The federal government's overhaul of negative gearing and the capital gains tax (CGT) discount will pass the Senate on Thursday with the support of the Greens, after Labor agreed to close a "loophole" allowing Australians to use a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) to buy "tax-advantaged" investment properties.Financial groups have criticised Labor's tax bill, which has undergone multiple rounds of changes following backlash to the proposal, as a "patch-up job on the run".But Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the package, insisting it would help more Australians purchase their first home and make the tax system fairer.Read the full story from chief digital political correspondent Clare Armstrong in the link below.Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 8:11amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 8:11amCoalition introduces bill to ensure human decision-making in aged care assessmentsBy Joshua BoscainiThe Coalition has introduced a bill to parliament to ensure qualified assessors make decisions about aged care.Last November, the federal government began using an algorithm, the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT), to determine aged care support.The technology has been criticised and Shadow Health Minister Anne Ruston says the opposition's bill will ensure that a human is making a decision about aged care."Right now, we have a situation where a computer makes the decision about what an older Australians' care needs and their care need priorities are and there is no capacity for a clinically trained assessor to override that," Ruston says.Key EventWed 24 Jun 2026 at 8:05amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 8:05amLiberal frontbencher Anne Ruston says she backs multiculturalism in AustraliaBy Joshua BoscainiShadow Health Minister Anne Ruston has thrown her support behind multiculturalism in Australia, saying she "absolutely" supports it.As we reported earlier, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor refused to commit to multiculturalism in Australia following repeated questioning yesterday.Speaking to ABC Radio National Breakfast, Ruston says Australia was built on multiculturalism.Asked why the opposition leader found it difficult to articulate his support, Ruston says the Coalition believes in multiculturalism."I think that Angus [Taylor] has been very clear in his position around what he wants for the future of Australia, and I think I've articulated that to you so far," Ruston says."That is what I stand by, that we are a multicultural nation. We've always been one, and we will be into the future and my party, that I'm a proud member of, believes in that."Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 7:58amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 7:58amHousing minister urges Coalition to push back against One Nation on multiculturalismBy Joshua BoscainiThe housing minister says the Liberals and National need to more effectively push back against the rise in support for One Nation.Yesterday, Angus Taylor refused to commit to multiculturalism in Australia following repeated questioning from journalists.Later on the ABC's Afternoon Briefing, Liberal Aaron Violi said the federal opposition still supported multiculturalism.O'Neil has told ABC Radio National Breakfast that someone shouldn't be the leader of a mainstream political party if they don't support multiculturalism."I am so sick of watching the Liberals and the Nationals get eaten alive by One Nation and they are inert, they are cowardly, they are frozen," O'Neil says."When are they going to stand up and fight against the absolutely outrageous nonsense that One Nation are spreading right around this country?"Asked about polling showing a decline in support for migration, O'Neil says it's important not to overstate the effect of migration on the housing market."Can I just remind Australians that as we went through COVID, our population dropped for the first time in 70 years, and at that exact same time, house prices went through the roof. It is not the only driver, it is not the most important driver, but it is relevant."Key EventWed 24 Jun 2026 at 7:44amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 7:44amMinister says housing market is experiencing a 'correction' after COVIDBy Joshua BoscainiHousing Minister Clare O'Neil says Australia is experiencing a housing market correction amid low auction clearance rates.Auction clearance rates have hit levels not seen since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, falling below 50 per cent over the past week.Speaking to ABC Radio National Breakfast, the housing minister has refused to say whether Australians will notice improvements in housing affordability by the next election due to Labor's budget changes.O'Neil says the government's overhaul to negative gearing and capital gains tax are not the only driver in the market."We've just been through what has been extremely high house price growth in the period from COVID, basically before COVID to today. House prices have gone up just in that time by more than 50 per cent and we are seeing a correction on that," O'Neil says.Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 7:34amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 7:34amSocial services minister takes aim at Hanson's comments on paid parental leaveBy Joshua BoscainiThe social services minister has taken aim at Pauline Hanson's decision to walk away from comments about paid parental leave at the National Press Club last week.The One Nation leader told the Press Club it was "fair enough" if women were not paid when they took time off to have a child, asking: "Why should business pay them if they are not at work?"Yesterday, Hanson walked away from those comments, saying she was "taken completely out of context" and that she meant businesses could not afford it.Paid parental leave in Australia is funded by the federal government, and some employers choose to pay employer-paid leave on top of the government scheme.Speaking to ABC News Breakfast, Tanya Plibersek says the One Nation leader has been consistent about her views on paid parental leave."She's been completely unsympathetic to the financial stress on Australian families that having a new baby brings with it," Plibersek says."She's said it at the Press Club and obviously she's had a negative reaction and now she's backpedaling but paid parental leave is not safe with Pauline Hanson."Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 7:31amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 7:31amPlibersek says people need to 'take a deep breath' about falling auction clearance ratesBy Joshua BoscainiSocial Services Minister Tanya Plibersek says "people need to take a deep breath" about falling auction clearance rates.Auction clearance rates have hit levels not seen since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, falling below 50 per cent over the past week.The weighted average for auction clearance rates across Australia was 47 per cent.Speaking to ABC News Breakfast, Plibersek says house prices will continue to grow, albeit more slowly, according to Treasury modelling."Most people don't buy a house and sell it tomorrow either. That's the thing that we need to keep in mind. People buy a house and stay there, I think the average is seven years. Very often people are staying longer than that," Plibersek says."I think the fact that weekend clearance rates are a bit down at the moment I think that's just a feature of the instability we're seeing globally and what's happening with interest rates."Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 7:14amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 7:14amClare O'Neil defends Labor's deal with Greens to pass budget measuresBy Joshua BoscainiHousing Minister Clare O'Neil has defended the federal government's deal with the Greens to pass Labor's negative gearing and capital gains tax changes through parliament.Yesterday, the two parties cut a deal that stops self-managed super funds from borrowing to purchase housing and Labor agreed to extending an NDIS inquiry in exchange for the Greens' support.The legislation will be put up for a vote in the Senate on Thursday afternoon, and will have to return to the lower house to be approved.Asked if the government will water down its changes to the NDIS to get it through parliament, O'Neil says the central point of the scheme's overhaul won't change."The NDIS reform that the government is undertaking is incredibly important for the nation. This is a cherished national institution, but I think most Australians can see it's not serving its original purpose," O'Neil says."I think it's legitimate to ask for a longer inquiry and to give more voices into that discussion but I will just say the central point of that NDIS reform does not change."Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 7:08amWed 24 Jun 2026 at 7:08amGood morning 👋By Joshua BoscainiHello and welcome to our federal politics live blog! It's always great to have your company early this Wednesday morning.I'm Josh Boscaini joining you live from Parliament House in Canberra, here and ready to bring you all of today's federal politics news.We'll likely hear some further reaction to the government's deal with the Greens to pass its budget measures through parliament.If you missed it, Labor's changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax will pass parliament after the two parties struck a deal that stops self-managed super funds from borrowing to purchase housing.Otherwise I'm not sure what's coming at us, so let's get into the day and see what happens!