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Unfortunately, the 0.25 increase in the cash rate will do little to arrest the rising cost of building materials.
Demand for housing has been exceptionally strong over the past two years. Driven by record low interest rates but also due to fiscal support, strong employment conditions, rising house prices, changes to household formation and a decentralisation of population. These factors have offset the adverse impact of the loss of migration.
Demand for homes increased during the pandemic across most developed economies as households sought additional space. This has resulted in a similar boom in demand across most developed economies.
The subsequent surge in demand for building materials, combined with constraints in global supply chains, have caused a significant shortage of building materials across the world. This has seen the cost of key building materials escalate and was a major contributor to recent inflation data.
These supply constraints are a major cause of the inflationary pressure. The increase in the cash rate will slow demand for homes, but it does not ease the constraints on global supply chains, increase the supply of skilled labour or improve productivity.
Today’s increase in interest rates alone should not have a significant impact on most household budgets. It does however, send an important signal for homeowners and investors considering home purchase that the period of ultra-low interest rates, is nearing an end.
Combined with the lagged impact of migration, the volume of homes commencing construction is expected to slow to more average levels by early 2024.
Finally, concerns that this rate rise could lead to instability within the financial sector in Australia or cause extraordinary declines in home prices are unwarranted. Australia has an unquestionably strong financial system.”
The Liberal Party’s announcement today that if re-elected they will allow Australians to access up to $50,000 from their superannuation to fund a deposit to help them buy their first home is a welcome one, and an initiative that HIA has championed.
Western Australia is one of just two states to see an increase in new home sales in April, recording a significant increase in the amount of new activity from the same period prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the ongoing support for Western Australia’s residential building industry in the 2022-2023 State Budget, including a number of targeted initiatives aimed at attracting more skilled workers into the state amid record high levels of detached construction.
The ACT Government has announced an implementation schedule and transition rules for Variation 369 to the Territory Plan.