Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips has rubbished claims by Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg that the federal government is not doing enough to fix the housing crisis.

Senator Bragg claimed that Australian Bureau of Statistics data which reveals overall dwelling approvals have dropped 5.7% in May is "further evidence Labor’s promise to build 1.2 million new homes is a dead duck".

Phillips said the Labor government was righting the wrongs of the past which stemmed from the Coalition neglecting the housing issue when they were in office prior to Anthony Albanese's first election win in 2022.

She retained the seat of Gilmore, where housing was one of the main election issues, last month with a 5% swing towards her after the electorate had been the most marginal in the country.

"I know housing is a huge issue locally. People in Kiama, Gilmore and Australia voted for the Albanese Labor Government because of our strong housing policies and plan to tackle the housing crisis," Phillips said.

"After a decade of neglect by the Liberals, we’re investing more in housing than any government in history.

"We’re making it easier to buy, better to rent, and building more homes."

Phillips said Labor had legislated a massive housing agenda through the National Housing Accord to boost supply.

"We are starting to see the outcomes that will boost affordable and social rental housing for decades to come," she added.

"We’re working with and incentivising the states to get on with planning reforms and building more well-located homes close to amenities - and maintaining character - which will help in Kiama.

"Our Housing Australia Future Fund is already boosting supply and will permanently into the future as further rounds are rolled out, enabling community housing and local and state government to partner with investors to multiply growth in social and affordable rental housing. There are huge opportunities locally."

Phillips said Labor was working with the other levels of government to get results.

"We’ve incentivised the state government to get on with planning reforms which allows more medium density housing in appropriate areas in the Kiama, Nowra, and Bomaderry CBDs," she said. "We’re supporting councils to enable infrastructure for housing through our Housing Support Program.

"Finally, we’re starting to see a renewed vigour and excitement locally for more well-located housing and social and affordable rental housing.  You can feel that the wave of social and affordable rental housing and more housing options has begun.

"We’ve also expanded and introduced programs to assist first home buyers, like our expanded First Home Guarantee and the Help to Buy scheme. Help to Buy will get people into the housing market, while more than 470 new home buyers across Gilmore have already benefitted from our Home Guarantee Scheme, helping them buy their first home with just a 5 per cent deposit.

"We’re also setting aside 100,000 new homes for first home buyers."

In conjunction with the housing strategy, the government is also encouraging more apprentices to take up trades in the residential construction and new energy sector with free TAFE and a $10,000 apprentice incentive, according to Phillips.

"Building more houses is the best way to make sure people can find a home, whether that’s to rent or to buy. Over the past three years, the Liberals voted against building more homes and supporting first home buyers," Phillips said.

"Through a decade in Government, the Liberals invested less than $5 billion in housing. Labor is now delivering a $43 billion Homes for Australia Plan and driving the biggest home-building program since the post-war housing boom.

"I look forward to continuing to work with Kiama Municipal Council as it works with the community to develop and implement the Kiama Housing Strategy, so there are more housing options for Kiama locals."