If this is a cost-of-living election, the ever-rising cost of putting a roof over your head is right at the heart of the debate.

Q+A travels to the booming housing belt of south-east Melbourne, where population increase has come with increasing social disadvantage. Mortgage-holders and renters are financially stressed; younger Australians are struggling for any toehold into a market with too few homes.

The electorate of Bruce has been Labor heartland for decades. But the party’s brand is on the nose in Victoria, with Liberals – and independents – ready to capitalise.

Will Melbourne turn on Anthony Albanese and embrace Peter Dutton? Who has the best plan for building more homes and making housing more accessible and affordable? Which party will make you better off? What makes you anxious about the country’s future – and what makes you excited?

Panellists: Minister for Housing & Homelessness Clare O’Neil, Shadow Minister for Social Services, NDIS, Housing & Homelessness Michael Sukkar, Independent MP for Warringah Zali Steggall, Deputy Mayor for the City of Melbourne Roshena Campbell and Executive Director for The Australia Institute Richard Denniss

This episode was broadcast on Monday April 14, 2025.

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Q+A is a television discussion program that focuses mostly on politics but ranges across all of the big issues that set Australians thinking, talking and debating.

It is driven by interaction: Q+A provides a rare opportunity for Australian citizens to directly question and hold to account politicians and key opinion leaders in a national public forum and Q+A is broadcast live so that not only the studio audience but also the wider audience can get involved.

We aim to create a discussion that is constructive, that reflects a diverse range of views and that provides a safe environment where people can respectfully discuss their differences.

It’s impossible to represent every view on a single panel or in one audience but we’re committed to giving participants a fair go.

In order to be as inclusive and diverse as possible, the program is presented from a range of locations around the country and all Australians are encouraged to get involved through social media as well as by joining the audience.

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