The Albanese government is facing criticism over its taxpayer-funded first-home buyer scheme, with opponents accusing Labor of giving One Nation and the Coalition an easy political opening by promoting the program in Arabic and Mandarin.
The issue was raised on 2GB Breakfast on Wednesday, where host Ben Fordham took aim at both the scheme’s availability to permanent residents and the government’s decision to advertise it on social media in languages other than English.
“One Nation is demanding answers. They want to know why Anthony Albanese is marketing an affordable housing scheme to foreigners,” Fordham said.
He added that the government had produced advertisements in Arabic and Mandarin, prompting Pauline Hanson to revive her familiar line: “Please explain.”
Fordham argued the controversy would not exist if the five per cent deposit scheme were limited strictly to Australian citizens.
“But when you’re opening the door to non-citizens and then promoting it in other languages, you hand a free kick to One Nation and the Coalition,” he said. “This is a very generous scheme. Make it for Aussies only.”
Under the scheme, eligible home buyers can purchase a property with a deposit of as little as five per cent. The federal government guarantees part of the loan, allowing borrowers to avoid paying lenders mortgage insurance.
One Nation has argued that promoting the program in Arabic and Mandarin is inappropriate at a time when many Australians are finding it increasingly difficult to break into the housing market.
2GB host Ben Fordham (pictured) has criticised Labor’s decision to promote its five per cent deposit scheme through Arabic and Mandarin social media advertisements
Pictured: A social media advertisement featuring Arabic subtitles
‘The Albanese Labor government continues to work against the interests of the Australian people,’ a One Nation spokesperson told news.com.au.
‘Promoting a housing scheme to foreigners in foreign languages does not help Australians secure affordable accommodation or help Australians to enter the housing market.’
One Nation has previously said it would ban international students, temporary visa holders and foreign non-residents from owning property in Australia.
The spokesperson said Labor’s immigration policies have fueled demand for housing and pushed up rents.
The Albanese government introduced a temporary ban on foreign investors purchasing established homes in 2025, a measure that has been extended until 2027.
Foreign buyers can still purchase newly built homes, off-the-plan properties, vacant residential land and established dwellings earmarked for redevelopment.
Fordham noted Housing Minister Clare O’Neil had defended the advertisements, saying they complied with standard communications guidelines and that the scheme is available only to Australian citizens and permanent residents.
‘For the record, Chinese nationals own 67 per cent of the 40,000 residential properties registered as foreign-owned Down Under,’ Fordham said.
Pauline Hanson (pictured) has attacked Labor’s use of Arabic and Mandarin advertising to promote the home buyer scheme
Labor’s use of Mandarin advertising to promote the home buyer scheme also attracted criticism
‘And here’s the question for Anthony Albanese: if the five per cent deposit scheme is all about getting young Aussies into homes, why are we promoting it like this?’
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has vowed a Coalition government would limit the program to Australian citizens only, after saying more than 51,000 non-citizens have accessed the scheme.
Treasury has confirmed spending on the home buyer initiative has now reached almost $7million.
Australia’s housing affordability declined in the December 2025 quarter, driven largely by increased first-home buyer activity following the significant expansion of the scheme.
Real Estate Institute of Australia president Jacob Caine said the scheme had helped more Australians enter the housing market but had also affected affordability by encouraging buyers to take on larger loans.
‘The expansion of the 5 per cent deposit scheme has clearly succeeded in enabling more Australians, particularly first home buyers, to enter the housing market,’ he said.
‘However, the consequence has been that many new buyers have been able to commit to larger loans under the scheme, which has increased the proportion of household income required to service a mortgage.’
