Clare Armstrong: Voters relieved to hear Dutton and Albanese talking about housing

After a surprising lack of focus on one key issue this federal election campaign, Peter Dutton has put it firmly in focus, writes Clare Armstrong.

Given housing is a key concern for voters there’s been a surprising lack of focus on the issue in the election campaign so far, until now.

Peter Dutton has moved to put the issue firmly in focus, finally unveiling his alternative to Labor’s plan to reduce international student numbers, which the Coalition and the Greens opposed last year.

The Opposition leader wants to slash the current intake to 240,000 students a year – about 30,000 fewer than Labor was aiming to achieve with its failed cap.

Peter Dutton on the outskirts of Melbourne on Sunday morning to announce his plan to reduce international student numbers. Picture: Thomas Lisson

To do this he will cap the amount of international students a university can enrol to 25 per cent of the total number of people studying, as well as hike up visa fees from $1,600 now to $2,500 for most universities and a $5,000 for the G8 institutions, like the University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, ANU, Monash University, University of Queensland and UNSW.

This, he insists, will ease up renting pressures and help young people get into the housing market.

It sounds simple, but there are conflicting expert opinions on just how much the caps would help and whether universities would just look to get around them by boosting their domestic student numbers.

Anthony Albanese on the campaign trail on Saturday. Picture: Jason Edwards

Whether it actually works or not is almost a secondary factor in this campaign though, as most voters will just be relieved to hear leaders talking about housing.

Standing in front of a row of houses being built in the northern suburbs of Melbourne where the Liberals are trying to pick up the Labor-held seat of McEwen, Mr Dutton hit his stride talking about his desire to ensure more Australians have an opportunity to get into a home.

But it’s going to take more than the promise of easing up demand, Australians need supply solutions if that dream is ever going to be a reality.