Anthony Albanese’s nemesis Max Chandler-Mather issues a fresh ultimatum to new housing minister Clare O’Neil

Green Party MP Max Chandler-Mather’s outspoken housing spokesman has threatened to hold Anthony Albanese’s government hostage over negative gearing and rent freezes following the cabinet reshuffle.

The Premier announced on Sunday that Victorian MP Clare O’Neil will be transferred from the Home Affairs and Cybersecurity portfolio to the Department of Housing and Homelessness.

Mr Albanese defended Ms O’Neil at a press conference, insisting that she had only been transferred because of a reshuffle, and not because of her damaged reputation following her handling of the High Court decision to release foreign criminals into the community.

The Prime Minister said Ms O’Neil was “a great communicator” and would “ensure the issue of housing is addressed”.

The Labor Party unveiled a $32 billion plan in the federal budget in May to build 1.2 million homes by 2029. However, the party has been accused of failing to address the immediate systemic problems that are preventing people from entering the housing market.

The cabinet reshuffle was announced at 2pm on Sunday. By 2.24pm, Mr Chandler-Mather – who has been a constant scourge for the Prime Minister – had fired off five angry messages to X challenging Ms O’Neil to negotiate with the Greens on housing policy.

He threatened to block Labor’s housing bills unless Ms O’Neil entered into talks about freezing and eventually capping rent rises, phasing out negative gearing and investing properly in social housing.

Victorian MP Clare O’Neil (pictured) was Minister for Home Affairs but has now moved to the Housing portfolio

Mr Chandler-Mather wrote: ‘If Labour want their housing bills to pass, I call on the new Housing Minister, Clare O’Neil, to immediately reopen negotiations with the Greens on a rent freeze/cap, along with removing tax breaks for investors and investing in social housing.’

He then took aim at the Prime Minister, accusing him of focusing only on “optics” by replacing the Minister of Housing while leaving housing policy unchanged.

“Any new vendor selling the same unlimited rent increases, skyrocketing house prices, chronic underfunding of social housing and tax breaks for investors will fail,” he said.

‘It is typical of a political class focused on “optics” that the Prime Minister thinks that replacing the Housing Minister without changing failed policies will help anyone.

‘The Labour union cannot continue to tinker around the edges of a housing crisis that is destroying people.’

Ms O’Neil did not respond to Mr Chandler-Mather’s question on Sunday, but she did thank Mr Albanese for the opportunity to “address one of the biggest issues that people in my community talk to me about: housing for every Australian”.

Max Chandler-Mather posted five angry messages (pictured) on Sunday, moments after the cabinet reshuffle

“I entered politics to change people’s lives for the better,” she wrote.

“Nothing is more fundamental to the health and wellbeing of Australians than safe, affordable housing.”

Sunday’s reshuffle was necessary because Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney and Minister for Skills and Education Brendan O’Connor announced their resignations on Friday.

On Saturday, Tasmanian Senator Carol Brown announced she was stepping down from her role as assistant minister for transport and infrastructure due to health reasons.

Mr Albanese took the opportunity to restructure his ministry in view of the upcoming federal elections, which must be called before May 2025.

Ms O’Neil and Immigration Minister Andrew Giles were both moved by months of negative publicity following last year’s High Court ruling in the NZYQ case, which led to convicted criminal asylum seekers being released from indefinite detention.

Pictured: Former Immigration Minister Andrew Giles with former Home Secretary Clare O’Neil

Among those released were seven people who had committed murder or attempted murder, and 37 sex offenders, including child molesters.

Another 72 people were convicted of assault and violent crimes, including kidnapping and armed robbery, 16 people were convicted of domestic violence and stalking, and 13 people committed serious drug offences.

Supreme Court rulings are separate from government decisions, but the Labor Party has faced the most criticism for its handling of the fallout.

Mr Giles succeeded Mr O’Connor as Minister for Skills and Training.

Tony Burke was given responsibility for immigration and multicultural affairs, home affairs, cyber security and the arts.