CANBERRA, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Australia's opposition leader has promised to build around 30,000 new houses for disadvantaged and vulnerable Australians if victorious at the next federal election.

The 10-billion-Australian dollar (7.7 billion U.S. dollars) social housing package was the centerpiece of the budget reply speech delivered by Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese on Thursday night.

Under the plan around 20,000 social housing properties will be built over the first five years and 10,000 affordable housing properties will be built for frontline workers, the initiative of which will create over 21,500 jobs each year.

"The security of a roof over one's head should be available to all Australians," Albanese said.

He invoked his upbringing in a council house as the son of a single mother in Sydney's western suburbs to promise Australians he would be an economically responsible leader.

"I grew up in a council house in Camperdown, the only son of a single mum on the disability pension. I stand before you tonight seeking the honor of serving as your prime minister," he said.

Albanese attacked Treasurer Josh Frydenberg's budget for 2021-22, which was handed down on Tuesday night, as "a patch-up job for the next election" rather than a comprehensive economic plan.

The budget could be this government's last with a general election due by mid-2022.

He promised that Labor would take stronger action on fixing the aged care sector, including increasing the "appallingly low wages of hard-working aged care staff."

The government committed 17.7 billion Australian dollars (13.6 billion U.S. dollars) in additional funding for aged care in the budget after the landmark royal commission into the sector uncovered systematic abuse and neglect of residents.

In response, Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said that Albanese's speech was "barely worth commenting on."

But Richard Marles, deputy leader of the Labor Party which has been in opposition since 2013, said Albanese spoke to the "key challenges" facing Australia, including stagnating wages, job security and clean energy, according to The Australian report. Enditem

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