The federal government's signature housing policy will become law after the Greens announced their support for the bill following the commitment of an extra $1 billion in public and community housing spending for this year.
The $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) legislation has been stuck without sufficient support in the Senate since passing the lower house earlier this year, but the Greens' support means the bill will pass parliament this week.
The crossbench party had initially demanded the federal government work to implement rent freezes and caps in exchange for their support for the bill, but on Monday said the commitment of $3 billion – today's $1 billion in addition to $2 billion in June – in "immediate and direct" housing spending was enough to secure their backing.
"Labor's HAFF still won't fix the housing crisis, but the Greens have secured $3 billion for housing right now – not relying on a gamble on the stock market – and we've got to a position where it can pass the Senate," party leader Adam Bandt said.
He said the Greens will continue to pressure the government to introduce rent control.
"I say this to Labor: if you continue to ignore renters, your political pain has just begun," Bandt said.
"There are several more significant bills on the immediate horizon where the Greens will use our position in balance of power to push the government to address soaring rents with a freeze and cap on rents."
Speaking in Question Time after the Greens announced their support for the bill, Housing Minister Julie Collins said the bill will have long-lasting effects beyond the immediate spending.
"This $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund is the single biggest investment from the federal government in more than a decade in social and affordable housing in this country," she said.
"For the first time, the Commonwealth government will have a legislative mandate to finance and support social and affordable housing right across the country.
"It will be there in perpetuity. Not just for this government, not just for the first five years of the fund, but there in perpetuity with returns going into higher social and affordable housing.
"This will change housing in Australia."
The HAFF will see $10 billion put into an investment fund.
The initial proposal would have seen the earnings of that fund spent on housing, but has since been amended so a minimum of $500 million in spending will be released from the fund each year.
Majority leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu says, he is baffled by the statement that the e-Levy, as contained in the 2022 budget statement, has not been approved…
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/a-circular-wooden-tower-with-a-walking-trail-right-someone-lies-in-the-giant-net-suspended-40-metres-high-in-the-centre-of-the.png?id=53840045&width=1245&height=700&coordinates=2%2C0%2C3%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>If you're looking for an unforgettable leaf-peeping adventure, now's the perfect time to explore some of the most beautiful <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/road-trip-from-montreal-most-beautiful-towns-in-canada" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nature spots near Montreal</a> before the season's over. One standout experience is this breathtaking treetop trail 40 metres above the ground, offering sweeping views of the Laurentian mountains as they burst into vibrant fall colours.</p><p>The elevated pathway winds around a wooden tower, providing visitors with a completely new perspective on the surrounding <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/fall-foliage-map-prettiest-leaves-quebec" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fall foliage</a>. To give you an idea, the tower's height is equivalent to approximately 131 feet or a 12-storey building.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_i-VXVqdUF/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_i-VXVqdUF/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top" rel="noopener">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Located just 80 minutes away from Montreal by car, <a href="https://treetop-walks.com/laurentides/en-ca/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw99e4BhDiARIsAISE7P-LFfEQxR4w_RJlE2LVCQ6mMIgCGjJ05kX_UxBb8Hr5r-Fbkb91lKwaApBsEALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sentier des cimes Laurentides</a> was one of the first trails of its kind in North America. </p><p>The trail is about three kilometres (round trip), which you can take at your own pace. It takes about one to one-and-a-half hours to complete, with several interpretation panels and viewing points along the way, according to the <a href="https://www.laurentides.com/en/tour-travel/sentier-des-cimes-laurentides-treetop-walk?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw99e4BhDiARIsAISE7P-JI_tWKpy2vRFJUghWC-bRUpwXElcp8jwxmCsPZ0GHbxvT8jEkWa4aAvjGEALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tourism Laurentians website</a>.</p><p>For the thrill-seekers out there, the tower has a giant suspended net at its centre — like a hammock-meets-trampoline in the sky — where you can lounge or bounce around in the heart of the wilderness while being immersed in the fiery reds, oranges, and yellows of autumn.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DBP1mm1tTo2/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DBP1mm1tTo2/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top" rel="noopener">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>At the very top of the tower, you'll be treated to a stunning 360-degree view of the Laurentian Mountains, including Mont-Tremblant.</p><p>What's more, the trail is fully accessible, so whether you're pushing a stroller or navigating in a wheelchair, you can still enjoy the scenic walkway and tower. With a gentle 6% slope, it's designed to be barrier-free, making it easy for everyone to appreciate the fall beauty, the website says.</p><p>As this is the peak time for fall foliage, expect larger crowds. If on-site parking is full, you can use the park-and-ride at exit 107, route 117, with shuttle buses running directly to the main trail area, according to the Sentier des cimes Laurentides website.</p><p>Tickets for Sentier des cimes Laurentides cost $31 per adult, with family passes and annual passes available.</p><h3>Treetop mountain trail in the Laurentians</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DBJuYwgRPCo/?img_index=1" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DBJuYwgRPCo/?img_index=1" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top" rel="noopener">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Price: $31 for adults</p><p>When: In October, daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours on weekends</p><p>Address: 737, rue de la Pisciculture, Mont-Blanc, QC</p><p><a href="https://treetop-walks.com/laurentides/en-ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sentier des cimes Laurentides Website</a></p><p><em>Before you get going, check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/responsible-travel-guidelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Responsible Travel Guide</a> so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your trip.</em></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>
