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Australian tenants could have collectively saved billions of dollars if a rent freeze was implemented 12 months ago.

The Australian Greens have cited research conducted by the federal Parliamentary Library to boost their case for a national rent freeze, as tense negotiations over the federal government's signature housing investment fund continue.

The government has already failed once to get its $10 billion fund through the Senate.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has threatened to dissolve both houses of parliament and call a double dissolution election if the Senate blocks the proposal for a second time.

Greens housing spokesman Max Chandler-Mather asked the library to find out how much the average renter would have saved if rents had been frozen 12 months ago.

He further asked what the estimated average cost to lease a house in each capital city would be next year, based on a central bank projection that rents could rise by close to 10 per cent.

Using census and consumer price index data, the library estimated an average saving per occupied dwelling across the country of $1427 in 2022-2023 and $2261 in 2023/2024.

Collectively, roughly two million renting households could have saved $3.1 billion in 2022/23 and $4.9 billion in 2023/24, it found.

"These aren't just numbers, a two year saving of $3688 per household is food on the table, a desperately needed trip to the dentist or it's the electricity bills for two years," Mr Chandler-Mather said.

"The prime minister has a historic opportunity to save the one-third of this country who rent."

Mr Albanese has previously said a rent freeze was outside the Commonwealth's jurisdiction because it was a state government responsibility.

But the Greens argue the prime minister could reach an agreement with the states via the national cabinet as he did last year to address soaring energy prices.

Acting leader Mehreen Faruqi said the prime minister had boasted about getting the state leaders to sign on to a new public holiday if the Matildas won the World Cup and could similarly use his national cabinet influence on housing.

"The prime minister absolutely has the power and the jurisdiction to be able to co-ordinate with states and territories to then implement rent freezes and rent caps," she told ABC News.

Liberal frontbencher Dan Tehan said the rental plan from the Greens was going to make the shortage of apartments available for rent worse.

"What the government won't discuss is why they don't have a plan to deal with the 1.5 million people who are heading our way over the next five years," he told reporters.

"That's what's going to put increased pressure on housing, on rates, on congestion, on health and also on the natural environment, and that needs to be part of this conversation."

National cabinet is set to meet next Wednesday and housing affordability is expected to be a main topic of discussion.

Independent Victorian senator Lidia Thorpe is also pushing the government to amend its housing fund plan to allocate 10 per cent of new housing supply to Indigenous people.

Senator Thorpe is also calling for a standalone Indigenous housing and homelessness plan.

© AAP 2023

Anthony Albanese faces pressure to strike a deal with the states on rent controls, with the Greens arguing Australians could have saved billions of dollars if regulations were rolled out 12 months ago.

The prime minister will meet with state and territory leaders in Brisbane on Wednesday to discuss the housing crisis.

The Greens and coalition are blocking Labor's signature election promise, a $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund.

Laws to start the fund could pass the Senate if the government agrees to a Greens demand to offer the states and territories money to cap rents and offer greater rights for tenants.

Greens housing spokesman Max Chandler-Mather asked the parliamentary library to find out how much the average renter would have saved if rents had been frozen 12 months ago.

He further asked what the estimated average cost to lease a house in each capital city would be next year, based on a central bank projection that rents could rise by close to 10 per cent.

Using census and consumer price index data, the library estimated an average saving per occupied dwelling across the country of $1427 in 2022/23 and $2261 in 2023/2024.

About two million renting households could have saved $3.1 billion in 2022/23 and $4.9 billion in 2023/24.

"These aren't just numbers, a two-year saving of $3688 per household is food on the table, a desperately needed trip to the dentist or it's the electricity bills for two years," Mr Chandler-Mather said.

"The prime minister has a historic opportunity to save the one-third of this country who rent."

Mr Albanese told parliament the premiers had been constructive in talks held on the housing issue in recent months.

"I'm confident that next week we will have some really good results and outcomes that will lead to ... real change," he said.

"The other thing the first ministers all emphasised to me is a need to pass the Housing Australia Future Fund."

If the fund bill is again blocked in parliament later this year it will give Mr Albanese a trigger for a double-dissolution election.

It is expected the national cabinet meeting will deal with inconsistencies in renters' rights across the country.

Mr Albanese has previously said a rent freeze was outside the Commonwealth's jurisdiction because it was a state government responsibility, with NSW ruling out the move.

Acting Greens leader Mehreen Faruqi said Mr Albanese "absolutely has the power and the jurisdiction to be able to co-ordinate with states and territories to then implement rent freezes and rent caps".

Liberal frontbencher Dan Tehan said the rental plan from the Greens was going to make the shortage of apartments available for rent worse.

"What the government won't discuss is why they don't have a plan to deal with the 1.5 million people who are heading our way over the next five years," he told reporters.

"That's what's going to put increased pressure on housing, on rates, on congestion, on health and also on the natural environment, and that needs to be part of this conversation."

Independent Victorian senator Lidia Thorpe, who holds a crucial vote, is pushing the government to allocate 10 per cent of new housing supply to Indigenous people.

Senator Thorpe also wants a standalone Indigenous housing and homelessness plan.

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews said he was happy to share his government's ideas on how to better protect renters.

Mr Andrews is expected to release a statement canvassing housing reforms in the coming weeks.

© AAP 2023

A 13-year-old boy is being questioned after he allegedly drove a car that was chased by police before it rolled in suburban Sydney.

Police attempted to stop the hatchback about 2.30am on Wednesday, but the car took off on The Horsley Drive in Fairfield.

After travelling a short distance, it crashed and rolled, police said.

Images of the wreckage show the car's rear end elevated on a concrete barrier.

The alleged driver, a 13-year-old boy, ran from the scene but was arrested nearby and is assisting investigators, police said.

Two passengers who sprinted away from the car are yet to be found.

© AAP 2023