The Abbott Government's frenzy of cuts will wipe out Australia's only independent housing supply research body, the Greens warned today.

"For many Australians today rents are at crisis point and home ownership well beyond their means - the Abbott Government's plan to abolish the National Housing Supply Council will make the situation worse," said Greens spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam.

The Australian Greens have welcomed a new Grattan Institute report that outlines the extraordinary transfer of wealth from taxpayers to property investors through negative gearing and capital gains tax exemptions.

“The report reveals subsidies of $36 billion a year to home owners and an additional $6.8 billion a year subsidising property investors; policies which have artificially inflated the property market and priced an entire generation out of affordable housing,” Greens Housing Spokesperson and Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said.

Budget Estimates 29 May 2013

Senator Ludlam asked: 

Budget Estimates 29 May 2013 

Senator Ludlam asked:

Senator LUDLAM: It might be something that you could point us to in the State of Australian cities report if it is not at the table. All of these capital cities have strategic plans that set out infill targets, and from Perth it was reduced it in Directions 2031 to 47 per cent from 60 per cent. All capital cities have those. Is there no high level understanding of how we are tracking?

Budget Estimates 29 May 2013 Infrastructure and Transport 

Senator Ludlam asked: 

Senator LUDLAM: Mr Mrdak, could you provide for us a list of the attendants of that group-those who sit at that table?

Mr Mrdak: Certainly.

Budget Estimates 29 May 2013 - Nation Building - Infrastructure Investment 

Senator Ludlam asked:

Budget Estimates 29 May 2013  Infrastructure Australia 

Senator Ludlam asked: 

Senator LUDLAM: Ah, that is where we are hung. Can you tell us how many freight submissions you have received from WA in total? It might be on notice.

Budget Estimates 29 May 2013

Infrastructure Australia

Senator Ludlam asked: 

New figures showing Western Australians are the worst litterers in the nation once again demonstrate the need for a container deposits system in WA, the Greens said today.

Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said Keep Australia Beautiful's National Litter Index for 2012-13 showed the volume of litter in Western Australia was 71 per cent above the national average, but could be greatly reduced by adopting a South Australian-style cash for containers system.