Released 21/04/2017
Federal Labor’s housing affordability plan offers a new opportunity for bipartisan national leadership on improving housing affordability across Australia.
We know that no jurisdiction can solve the housing affordability issue single-handedly and I have consistently said that our efforts to improve housing affordability will be far more effective if both levels of government are pulling in the same direction.
The ACT Government supports changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax arrangements to ease the pressure in housing markets and direct investment towards new supply.
I have also actively advocated for national leadership in tackling homelessness and support for social housing and I’m pleased to see that challenge taken up in federal Labor’s announcement today.
The federal government now has the opportunity in its budget next month to match its words on this issue with concrete policy change.
A major financing vehicle or ‘bond aggregator’ for new investment into affordable or community housing would be a welcome announcement, provided it does not come at the cost of existing homelessness funding.
The former Labor government’s National Rental Affordability Scheme leveraged private investment in affordable rental housing on a national scale. I have seen the results of this program both in Canberra and around Australia and we need an effective financing mechanism back in place.
The ACT Government is continuing an active program of work in housing affordability, including the phasing out of stamp duty, accelerated land supply and the development of a housing strategy which we committed to at the 2016 election.
I will continue to advocate nationally for bipartisan efforts to help more Australians get access to a stable home and the vital life chances which flow from it.
- Statement ends -
Yvette Berry, MLA | Media Releases
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