Chaos as Clare O'Neil trades blows with her political rival on live TV (2025)

Housing MinisterClare O'Neil and opposition spokesman Michael Sukkar have clashed over social housing numbersduring a heated televised debate.

The political opponents traded blows during a policy debate on the ABC's 7.30 program, leading to Mr Sukkar being scolded for his frequent interruptions.

Host Sarah Ferguson lost control of the TV debate on several occasions as she tried to stop the two politicians from talking over each other.

The debate had turned to the number of social and affordable homes either party would build as both look to increase supply in a volatile housing market.

Ms O'Neil said Labor would look to increase the number of social housing set aside in a bid to address rising homelessness levels.

'We are building 55,000 social and affordable homes over five years,' she said.

'We have an extraordinary issue with older women being our biggest growing group going into homelessness. All this comes back to an acute under supply of social and affordable homes.'

But when Mr Sukkar continued to interrupt Ms O'Neil's claims, it prompted a quick retort from the veteran ABC host.

'Michael, what would your mother say, hearing you interrupt her?' she said.

The coalition spokesman rejected claims the party had only built 350 social and affordable homes during their previous stint in government, saying 15,000 had been built.

'Clare, your government has benefited from (the affordable housing bond aggregator) because it continues to this day,' he said.

'We will fund directly social affordable housing, just as we did in government.'

Ms O'Neil blasted the Liberal Party and said their record on housing was 'garbage' and accused Mr Sukkar of 'telling fibs'.

Housing has emerged as one of the leading issues at the May 3 election, with both parties spending billions of dollars in a pitch to first-home buyers.

Labor has promised to expand a scheme allowing a five per cent deposit for first-home buyers in a shared equity scheme, while also setting up 100,0000 properties specifically for people entering the market

Meanwhile, the coalition has promised to make interest payments for the first five years of a mortgage tax deductible for first-home buyers, and allow them to access their super to purchase a house.

Despite some experts rejecting the coalition's policy, Mr Sukkar said it would help people access the property market.

'What it does is address one of the biggest issues for first-time buyers and that is they can't service a mortgage, particularly living under the cost-of-living crisis,' he said.

'They will save $55,000 over the first five years in their own tax.'

Ms O'Neil also defended suggestions national housing targets to build 1.2million new properties by 2029 as part of Labor's policy are not likely to be reached.

'We have just implemented a massive agenda already in our first term, our second term will be going further on housing, much further.'

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York

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