We've changed the rules of the game

By Shane Rattenbury, Leader of the ACT Greens

After the election, there was no time to waste. I got straight to work on a new law that makes housing a human right in Canberra—an Australian first.

For too long, housing in this country has been treated as a profit machine, not a basic human right. That mindset is why governments have failed, time and again, to deal with our housing crisis. It’s time to turn the page—and this legislation is a vital step forward.

Back in November, I sat down with community organisations like Canberra Community Law and Shelter ACT to draft a discussion paper. We wanted to open the process up from the very beginning—seeking ideas, listening to feedback, and making sure this bill reflects real lives, not just policy theory.

I also asked the community directly: What does housing as a human right mean to you?  Your stories poured in—stories of hardship, resilience, and the struggle for safe, affordable homes.

One conversation has stuck with me. A man in Narrabundah told me about living in public housing with his mother for over 50 years. He cared for her until she recently passed away. Now, despite his lifelong connection to that home, Housing wants to move him on because his mother’s name was on the lease. He’s cared for the property, buried pets in the backyard, and dreams of one day marrying his First Nations partner in that same backyard.

Like Darryl Kerrigan said in The Castle: “It’s more than a house, it’s a home.” And home looks different for everyone. For many, it’s staying in a neighbourhood you’ve known your whole life. And it's also about security, affordability and safety. 

That’s exactly why this law matters. From now on, the ACT Government is legally required to treat housing as a social good—not just a private asset. That means:

• Every housing decision must pass the test of fairness and affordability.
• Renters and residents can challenge unfair laws or government inaction.
• The community—not corporate shareholders—comes first.

This is history.

Right now, Canberra—and the country—are in crisis. Rents are soaring. Public housing stock is shrinking. Waiting lists grow longer by the day. Mortgages and interest rates are crushing households. And when housing fails, it’s not the market that breaks—it’s our democracy.

We’ve seen what happens overseas when governments let inequality spiral. We can’t let that happen here.

That’s why this win matters so deeply. Together, we’ve forced the political system to put people before profit.

And in a world full of bad news, rising hate, and endless right-wing noise, this is proof that when we organise, when we fight, and when we believe in something better—we win.

This moment isn’t just about legislation. It’s about fairness. It’s about justice. It’s about humanity.