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$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

Queensland's changes to foreign investor tax settings are relief from worst own goal housing policy

Media release

Queensland's changes to foreign investor tax settings are relief from worst own goal housing policy

Media release
“Reforms to Queensland’s restrictions on new home building will see more new homes commencing construction, adding revenue to the state and Australian governments, and assisting the task of increasing housing stock,” said Tim Reardon, HIA Chief Economist.

The Housing Industry Association welcomes the Queensland Government’s reforms to the foreign surcharge relief framework, which reduce red tape and improve investor certainty for those building new homes. These changes are a positive step toward restoring Queensland’s competitiveness and supporting the delivery of more housing for local buyers and renters.

“Queensland needs more foreign investment in new home building, not less.

“By streamlining relief arrangements and expanding access criteria for foreign investor surcharge exemptions, the Government is sending a clear message that Queensland is once again opening up for investment that leads to housing delivery.”

“Foreign investors do not compete with Australians to purchase existing homes. Foreign investors have been prohibited from buying established homes since 1975. The policies announced this week only relate to the construction of new homes.

“Queensland has seen the volume of new apartment commencements collapse as foreign investors shifted to building new homes in other countries without these punitive taxes. 

“This has been the worst own goal housing policy.

“One in ten new detached homes are built by an overseas owned building company. Penalising these businesses from building homes in Queensland has made the shortage of housing stock worse, adding additional pressure to public housing stock.

“Like other jurisdictions, Queensland has faces shortages of homes and rising rents. Removing unnecessary barriers that discourage investment in new housing is essential if supply is to respond to demand.

“These changes add clarity around this tax impost and will help underpin project viability, but this is not a substitute from fundamental reform to this punitive set of taxes. 

“This is not about favouring one type of investor over another. It is about ensuring that projects which deliver homes for Queenslanders are not held back by unnecessary regulatory barriers.

“Reducing the effective cost of investing in new housing in Queensland brings the state into closer alignment with other jurisdictions that have also been streamlining these policy settings to support construction and supply,” concluded Mr Reardon.

For more information please contact:

Tim Reardon

HIA Chief Economist
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