Senator FIFIELD (Victoria—Manager of Government Business in the Senate, Minister for Communications, Minister for the Arts and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Digital Government) (14:49): I thank my good friend Senator Seselja for his question. He has been neglecting me for a while! I think that everyone here knows that NRAS was one of those flagship Labor programs—in this case designed to improve rental affordability. From the beginning of the RGR government's scheme, it was poorly designed. It had multiple flaws, ambiguous legal requirements and red tape. The scheme has been slow in delivery, which is not good. It has failed to meet its delivery targets despite ongoing funding. The Audit Office released a report on the NRAS on 18 November, and it found that from the commencement of NRAS, in 2008, the delivery of eligible dwellings has been slower than anticipated—not good. Senator Lines: What have you done on affordable housing? Senator FIFIELD: It also found that no processes had been put in place to monitor or evaluate whether the scheme had encouraged large-scale investment in affordable housing. There was no way of monitoring whether there was innovative design of affordable housing or whether NRAS had any flow-on effect into the housing market—again, not good. Senator Lines: You've ripped money out! You've done absolutely zero on housing affordability. The PRESIDENT: Senator Lines! Senator FIFIELD: It also found that administration of the application and assessment process, and management of reserved allocations for NRAS had not been effective—again, not good. Like many other programs of our colleagues across the way, such as the NBN—I just randomly cite an instance— Government senators interjecting— Senator FIFIELD: Do not tempt me! The ground work for NRAS had not been put in. The basic planning to ensure competent delivery had not been put in. Ms Plibersek cites NRAS as one of the greatest achievements of the former government. Those opposite have some odd benchmarks.