Prime Minister Scott Morrison's ministerial appointments recognise housing as a "national priority", according to the Housing Industry Association.

Mr Morrison unveiled his new ministry on Sunday, with Member for Deakin Michael Sukkar announced as Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Housing.

HIA Manager Director Graham Wolfe said placing housing responsibility with the Assistant Treasure reflected the $130 billion contribution that residential building construction makes to the Australian economy and to employment nationwide. 

At a glance:

• Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveiled his new ministry on Sunday, with Michael Sukkar announced as Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Housing.
• The appointment of a dedicated Minister for Housing has been welcomed by the Housing Industry Association, the Property Council of Australia, and the Real Estate Institute of Australia.
• Alan Tudge has been named as the new Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population.

“We look forward to working with Minister Sukkar to develop policies that improve the affordability of homes without increasing the tax burden, including the development of a new first home loan deposit scheme,” he said.

The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) has also welcomed the announcement of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s Ministerial appointments.

President Adrian Kelly said he was particularly pleased with Mr Sukkar's portfolio.

“REIA has long advocated for housing being a ministerial responsibility," he said.

"The property sector is one of the largest sectors in the Australian economy in terms of employment, GDP and investment and has been the driver of economic growth since the decline in investment in the mining sector commenced.  

“This appointment recognises the importance that the property sector plays in the economy as well as in policy with taxation of property and housing affordability being at the forefront of public policy debate.

"We have worked with Minister Sukkar before, so it is nice to have him in this position."

Very proud to be part of @ScottMorrisonMP’s new Cabinet in existing portfolio of Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population. We have a big agenda to implement.

— Alan Tudge (@AlanTudgeMP) May 26, 2019

Mr Sukkar will be joined in the cabinet by Member for Aston Alan Tudge, who was named as the new Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population.

Property Council of Australia Chief Executive Ken Morrison said cities, infrastructure and housing would always be significant economic issues that also had a big impact on the quality of life of Australians. 

“The promotion of Alan Tudge to the Cabinet with responsibility for population, cities and urban infrastructure is well-deserved recognition for his important contribution in this area and the ongoing imperative to manage the growth of our cities and regions and the roll-out of the Government’s infrastructure investment program,” he said. 

“We are pleased that housing policy has also been identified as a particular area for ministerial responsibility under Assistant Treasurer, Michael Sukkar, including the First Home Buyer Loan Deposit Scheme and affordable housing.

“The Property Council has worked closely with Ministers Tudge and Sukkar in their previous roles and looks forward to continuing to engage with them and other members of the new ministry on the issues that matter to Australia’s biggest industry which supports 1.4 million jobs."

Click here to view the full ministry list.

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