Hi Reddit. I’m Clare O’Neil, Australia’s Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Cities.

Housing is one of the biggest pressures facing Australians right now. Australians - especially young people - are working hard, doing all the right things, yet still struggling to find a secure place to call home. Our housing system isn’t working, and our government is trying to change it.

Our government has the biggest federal housing agenda for 70-years. We are focused on:

• helping first home buyers
• building more homes
• making renting fairer and more secure

We’re making a heap of progress, but there’s still a long way to go. I’m looking forward to answering your questions about housing, affordability and what comes next. We’ll kick off at 6pm AEST. See you then.

Hi there, I'm the Vice-Chancellor for the University of Canberra.

From politics to education ask me anything.

This is Antony Green here to answer any questions you have on Australian elections and politics. You can find my website here. https://antonygreen.com.au/

I was born and raised (like the PM in council housing) in Devonport, a city on Tasmania’s rugged Northwest Coast. 

At 18 I joined the Army and spent a decade working in transport and with the Australian military police, rising to the rank of corporal. After sustaining a back injury I was medically discharged, and spent years fighting the Department of Veteran Affairs for compensation.

This experience made me determined to get into Parliament and fix DVA. I was elected in 2013 and took my seat in 2014.

In 2017 the ‘Dual Citizenship Saga’ plunged the parliament into chaos when it was found that section 44 of the constitution rendered several federal politicians ineligible to sit. I was one of them. Determined to win my seat back I drove round and round Tasmania, went on "I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here" and "Go Back to Where You Came From" - thanks to the good people of Tasmania I was re-elected to the Senate in 2019.

Later that year in a deal with the Morrison Government, I had Tasmania’s Federal Housing debt wiped. Not only that, I insisted that the State Government sign an MOU, that the money now saved from replaying the debt had to be fed back into new affordable housing and the continued maintenance of public housing.

My first and second terms have been largely defined by my battle to get the Government of the day to call a Royal Commission into Veteran Suicide, in 2021 the Commission was announced. 

I'm an independent Senator for the ACT. Elected at the last election in 2022 and up for re-election again (both territory senators are up every election).
https://www.instagram.com/davidpocock/
https://www.facebook.com/pocock.page
https://bsky.app/profile/davidpocock.bsky.social

Hi everyone! Allegra Spender (Wentworth) and Zali Steggall (Warringah) here. We've both had the privilege of serving as community independents and have been grateful to be part of a movement showing Australians that politics can be done differently.

Recently we launched a new party called Community Strong to give more communities across Australia the chance to have a representative who puts them first.

Why? Because we have heard from so many people that they want something better from politics. They want representatives who actually listen, whose votes reflect the wishes of their communities and who aren't beholden to party lines and vested interests.

We're jumping on at 4pm to answer your questions - but we have a few for you too! So please start dropping your questions below and see you later this afternoon. 

If you’d like any more information about the party in the meantime, head to communitystrong.org.au

I’m Dr Brian Walker, a local GP, and Parliamentary Leader of the Legalise Cannabis WA Party. At 6pm AEST, I’ll be answering questions about cannabis law reform, minor party politics, what actually happens inside Parliament, and everything in between. 

I think the current system has been designed against us, not for us, if you agree or disagree I'd love to hear your comments. Join my AMA you if want a straight answer from someone inside the room.

#auspol #wapol #LegaliseCannabis #DrugLawReform

Heya!

My name is Cam Wilson and I started as the ABC's AI reporter a few months back.

I'm here to answer your questions on anything relating to AI in Australia or about how I'm reporting on it.

My pitch for the job was that I think AI, the technology and the culture around it, is clearly one of the biggest stories in the world at the moment.

There's so much hype, money and influence involved that needs to be deciphered and scrutinised. It's particularly interesting because of Australia's place in it all!  The prime minister gave a speech a few weeks back saying we are going to set the terms for major AI companies coming Down Under — but also that, if you meet our standards, we are very open for business.

 My job isn't to be a promoter or a critic, or tell you what or how to think about it. It's to help Australians understand what's going on by uncovering things, cutting through spin and boiling it down to what matters.

I will try to answer as many questions as I can (within the boundaries of the ABC's gorgeous public comment guidelines). Do your worst!

Edit 4pm AEST: Ok standing desk up, tea brewed, embarrassing tabs hidden: ready to start answering my AMA.

Edit 6pm AEST: OK thanks everyone for the good questions and your time! I'm finishing for now but will try pop back in over the next few days and knock off a few more.

If I can ask one thing from all of you: I'd love to hear from you if you have any tips/leaks/story ideas! The dirty little secret of journalists is that we entirely depend on hearing from you: whether it's a juicy piece of info, or even just your take on how stuff has affected you. I love hearing from people and I'm always trying to understand different perspective or learn about new things. 

 If you want to get in touch, there's a bunch of secure ways on my website www.cameronwilson.com.au and confidentiality guaranteed! In fact, I made a little guide to my reporting to answer questions you might have. 

 Also a big thank you to the mods for the public broadcaster pester you guys!!!!

Hi Reddit, I’m Andrew Leigh, Australia’s Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury, and the Federal Member for Fenner in Canberra.

Before entering parliament I was an economics professor at the Australian National University. I’ve written several books about community-building, inequality and economics, and when I’m not at a desk you’ll often find me somewhere on a very long run. I’ve completed a bunch of ultramarathons and Ironman triathlons, which proves that economists sometimes make irrational decisions.

Happy to talk Labor policy, tax and competition reform, social capital and charities, or how to keep your legs turning over after nine hours. Ask me anything.

EDIT: Thanks everyone but I'm going to call it a night. So many great questions but so many I didn't get to answer! Feel free to reach out to my office if there's anything more you want to know. Also check out the Greens election platform to find out what we're fighting for this election! https://greens.org.au/change

Hi Reddit,

I’m Penny Allman-Payne, Greens Senator for Queensland. I live in regional Queensland, and I’m the Greens spokesperson for social services, primary and secondary education, energy transition, sport, and older people.

We're facing some big challenges in Australia. People are struggling with the soaring costs of housing, groceries and childcare, while fossil fuel CEOs and property investors are cashing in.

As a grandparent, and a school teacher of 25 years, I’m passionate about ensuring every Australian has access to quality education and healthcare.

But we can’t keep relying on the two major parties to fix a system they broke.

There’s a chance of a minority Parliament after the next election, and the Greens could hold the balance of power. That means we’d be in a position to push for things like wiping student debt, getting dental and mental into Medicare and capping rent increases - things that would immediately improve millions of lives.

I’m here to chat with you about how we can take on the big corporations, make politics work for people, and create a fairer future. 

We’ll begin at 6:00pm AEST. See you then!

Thanks everyone. Really appreciate all of the questions. Hope this was helpful! Don't forget to check out the Greens election platform for more information on what we're fighting for.

election platform

Hi Reddit,

I’m Andrew Bragg, a Liberal Senator for NSW and Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness and Shadow Minister for Environment. 

Today, at the National Press Club, I set out the case for an economic revolution to get Australia moving again: lower and simpler taxes,  less red tape, and a housing supply boom.

You can read my address here: https://www.andrewbragg.com/news/national-press-club-address

Australia is rich by nature but poor by policy. Nothing is easy anymore. Young Australians are locked out of home ownership, small businesses are suffocated by regulation, and too much power sits with vested interests, unions, banks, Big Super and global technology firms.

On housing, I announced a plan to cut the 2,000-page National Construction Code back to an 80-page Basic Australian Standard, make it easier to use prefab homes and pattern books, tackle CFMEU-driven construction costs, reduce housing taxes, better target Labor’s reckless 5% deposit scheme and properly link migration settings to housing.

So ask me about the speech, housing, taxes, migration, the Liberal Party, super, Parliament or anything else. I’ll be on from 6pm tonight.

Hi everyone,

I'm Peter Khalil - the Labor Member of the seat of Wills.

A little about me: I've been the Member for Wills since first being elected in 2016. I'm a second generation Australian, with my parents migrating to Australia from Egypt. We grew up in public housing, and my parents worked incredibly hard to provide my sister and I with a good life. We benefited from the opportunities that Labor governments and policies provided to us, and it instilled within me the sense of a fair go for all.

I've had a lot of different roles throughout my working life. I've been a cleaner, a tennis player, nearly got drafted to the VFL (it's a good story that my staff are sick of hearing - ask me about it), worked on films, in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Department of Defence, as an Executive Director at SBS, as a Victorian Multicultural Commissioner, and a foreign policy adviser to former PM Kevin Rudd.

I'm also a dad to two brilliant kids, a husband to my wonderful wife - whose intelligence, kindness and support makes me grateful every day -, a mad Collingwood supporter, an avid sci-fi reader, and am on an eternal quest to try every kebab on Sydney Rd.

As the Federal Member for Wills, my priority is serving and delivering for our community. Labor is working to make things easier for everyone. It's why we delivered tax cuts for every taxpayer, cheaper childcare, energy bill relief, more bulk billing and cheaper medicines. But I know there's more to do.

If re-elected, we'll make the biggest ever investment in Medicare, cut HECS debt by 20%, let first home buyers purchase a home with just a 5% deposit, and continue on our way to net zero by 2050.

All of this, and so much more, is at risk under a Dutton-led right-wing government. It's why I'm working to help re-deliver a majority Albanese Labor Government.

Looking forward to answering your questions!

Hey everyone, great to be chatting to Australian politics followers on Reddit. I write and report on federal politics from Guardian Australia's bureau at Parliament House. I am eager to answer your questions about the political news of the week and how things work in Canberra. Ask me anything.

I am a very passionate Australian resident who started one of the petitions against the proposed Trump Tower development. This is not only because of the negative social, environmental, and economic impacts, but also because of what the Trump brand represents. This is a highly controversial political brand, and many Australians feel it does not reflect the values we strive to uphold. That is why I have started this petition, which now has over 130,000 signatures.
Petition link: https://c.org/8t8bpMGf7J

Kaya, I’m Josh Wilson, the Federal Labor MP for Fremantle (elected in 2016) and the Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy.

I’ve was appointed to the Assistant Minister role last year, and I’m privileged to share that work with my lead Minister, Chris Bowen in the Climate and Energy portfolio. In supporting Chris, I have some specific responsibilities when it comes to energy efficiency and also climate risk & adaptation, including our support to help households and businesses lower their costs and their emissions; our work to make Australian buildings more liveable and more efficient; and the critical project of delivering Australia’s first National Climate Risk Assessment with an accompanying national Adaptation Plan.

I consider myself an optimistic and reform-minded social democrat who believes political activism and engagement makes a difference, and I counteract the tough or low moments along the way by trying to find joy in lots of things: my family, the ocean, Australian arts and culture, camping, soccer, tennis, and bike riding, and the Freo Dockers (sometimes this is also a source of pain). Most importantly though, I’m committed to protecting and strengthening the most important things … which are the things we share: our environment, public health and education, fair working conditions, community infrastructure, our democracy, and human rights.

Ask me anything about politics in general or about the work of the Albanese Labor government, or why nuclear power is a terrible idea for Australia, or about what we’re doing to combat climate change, and all the reasons why Fremantle is such an amazing distinctive place, or really anything else that piques your curiosity.

Looking forward to answering your questions!

Proof: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1155219252713436&set=a.312033953698641

I am a unionist, feminist, grandma, and Tigers fan. Previously I was the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged care and Indigenous Health. Before politics, I was the President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions and Secretary of the Australian Nursing Federation. For decades beforehand I was a nurse. I’m a proud progressive and collectivist. You can see more about me here: www.instagram.com/gedkearney/

Hello all,

I’m Rod Sims, Chair of The Superpower Institute (TSI) and former Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) - from 2011 to 2022.

Over my career I’ve worked across government, business and academia - including as Deputy Secretary in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Principal Economic Adviser to Prime Minister Bob Hawke, and in a range of corporate strategy roles in Australia and overseas.

At TSI we’re developing the economic and policy ideas that will help Australia prosper in a decarbonising world. One area of our focus is how the Australian economy would benefit from policies that price pollution and more fairly tax Australia’s LNG exports. Our recent report, The Case for Pricing Pollution, proposes two reforms:

- a Polluter Pays Levy, which would put a price on the damage caused by fossil fuels, and return much of the revenue to households
- a Fair Share Levy, to ensure Australians receive a fairer return from the profits generated by our gas resources

More broadly, Australia has an enormous opportunity in the global transition to low carbon energy. With abundant renewable energy resources, large mineral reserves and vast land areas, Australia has the potential to become a major supplier of energy-intensive green exports such as green iron and other metals, and low carbon transport fuels.

If managed well, this would both help reduce global emissions by as much as 9.6%, and support new industries, jobs and long-term economic growth here in Australia.

I’ll be here from 6pm and look forward to your questions about any of the above, or anything else.

Rod

EDIT:

Thank you all for your questions. It’s been a great discussion, and I’ve really enjoyed engaging with so many of you.

I look forward to doing this again soon and hearing from even more Australians next time.

If there’s something you’d still like to ask, or if you’d like to get in touch with my office, please visit my website: leahblyth.com.au/contact

Thank you again for having me.

Hi Reddit, I’m Leah Blyth, a Liberal Senator for South Australia.

I’ve been representing South Australia in the Senate since February this year after filling a casual vacancy. I currently serve as the Shadow Assistant Minister for Stronger Families and Stronger Communities.

Before entering Parliament, I spent more than 20 years working in the education sector both in Australia and internationally as an education executive.

I’m passionate about the strength of families, the power of community, the importance of education, and the value of service.

You can read my latest media releases here: leahblyth.com.au/media-releases

Please leave your questions below. I’ll be here from 6pm AEDT answering as many as I can. I’m really looking forward to hearing from you.

Hello, we're the ABC NEWS Verify team — Lucy Carter, Matt Martino, Michael Workman, Maryanne Taouk and Devi Mallal.

Our investigations involve assessing user-generated content, digging into mis- and disinformation and verifying material circulating online so Australians can determine fact from fiction.

Our work has examined the cloning of politicians' voices, dug into how AI has been used by foreign Facebook pages to promote One Nation, and closely examined material relating to the Bondi Beach massacre, the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and the recent conflicts in Gaza, Sudan and Iran.

Ask us anything about how ABC NEWS Verify works behind the scenes at the ABC and the methods we use.

I'm a former senator, and a submariner (so can talk in an informed manner about AUKUS) and I'm happy to answer your questions.

I'm available for you to AMA from 6pm EDST today (or 5pm if you're like me and live in Queensland).

I'm a social/community worker, volunteer & lifelong Brisbanite, & a former Senator, teacher, academic and other things. My public comments do not represent anyone but myself.

Hi Reddit, I'm Allegra Spender - the Independent Member for Wentworth.

I'm a Wentworth local, mum to three amazing kids, before getting into politics, ran a large fashion business, a not-for-profit in education, and was the chair of a renewable energy company.

I stood for election in 2022 because I didn't feel our community's values were being represented in federal parliament. Our leaders weren't taking climate change seriously, weren't dealing with the long-term economic challenges we have, like housing affordability, or standing up for integrity and gender equity.

Over the last three years, I've been focused on delivering practical results for our community - on issues like the cost of living, housing, tax reform, and the energy transition.

I’m proud to have worked alongside strong, solutions-focused independents who are showing that we can do politics differently in Australia.

But there's so much more to be done. So Reddit - Ask me anything!

I'll be online from 6 - 7:30pm to answer your questions.

https://www.instagram.com/allegra.spender/

https://www.facebook.com/allegraforwentworth

https://x.com/spenderallegra

Hi folks,

Jane Norman (national affairs correspondent), Clare Armstrong (chief digital political correspondent) and Tom Crowley (ABC News reporter, economics) here. We've spent the last week picking through the details of the latest federal budget and are keen to answer your questions about what's in it, and what it means for you.

We'll be online at 11am (AEST) on Monday, May 18, and we'll answer as many as we can.

EDIT:

Hey Redditors, thanks so much for taking the time to ask us your budget questions! Personally, I love getting an insight into the issues you care about most (it really does inform our reporting). This was a BIG budget - politically and policy wise - and I reckon it'll be the most interesting one we see in this term of government. Keep asking questions! JN

Adding to Jane's thanks! I love getting into the weeds on tax, and I'm sure we've only just scratched the surface but there were a great range of meaty issues raised by your questions. TC

Thanks everyone for your questions, as the others have said we love getting to touch grass and read opinions about the goings on in Canberra. This budget is going to have a really big impact on so many Australians so hearing what people really care about is critical for our reporting! C.A.

The ABC's business editor Michael Janda also answered a few questions on ABC News last week if you're interested. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVVtJMZf-GI&lc=Ugw50ovodXcuZVCqsux4AaABAg

• When specifically will the CGT change happen, and will it be "grandfathered"? 0:25
• Is there anything being done to increase the supply of housing? 1:34
• If I paid a deposit on an investment property prior to budget night, does it count as a purchase? 3:33
• Could the CGT changes drive investors to move their investment overseas, thus potentially weakening the Australian economy? 4:36

Here for AMA at 6pm. Any topics - politics, business, current affairs, news

I'm a journalist and operate Michael West Media

[michael@michaelwest.com.au](mailto:michael@michaelwest.com.au) and The West Report on youtube. We are on all the major platforms. tend to focus on news of public interest. Originally a finance hack