Civil Penalties for Breaching Affordable Housing Conditions on Commonwealth Land

Commonwealth Land (Affordable Housing) Bill 2026

Independent Bill

1st House

2nd House

Law

Introduced by: David Pocock (IND)

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

Commonwealth entities must include affordable housing conditions when selling or leasing Commonwealth land; exempt disposals are excluded.
Commonwealth entities cannot complete a land transfer until all affordable housing requirements are met.
Purchasers must use local land law instruments to legally secure affordable housing obligations before the sale finishes.
Purchasers must set up enforceable agreements with not-for-profit community housing providers to manage rent, eligibility, and reporting.
Purchasers face a civil penalty of 10,000 penalty units if they materially breach affordable housing conditions.
People who acquire Commonwealth land can take civil action to enforce affordable housing conditions.
The Minister must review how the Act is working after five years.

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