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$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

Stable and reliable housing policies needed - not more taxes and red tape

Media release

Stable and reliable housing policies needed - not more taxes and red tape

Media release
Australia has a significant under supply of housing which is universally recognised.

“To address this the Federal, State and Territory Governments have committed to a ‘Housing Accord’ to build 1.2 million much needed homes over the next five years,” HIA Managing Director, Jocelyn Martin said today.

“HIA has welcomed this announcement, and our members stand ready, willing and able to build these homes.

“However, the current commentary and ‘threats’ on further changes to tax settings is acting as a significant deterrent to productivity and increasing housing supply.

“This is coupled with the uncertainty from interest rate rises, new complex industrial relations reforms on businesses, the introduction of widespread changes to the building code and layers of approvals and regulatory change.

“This is all coming together to substantially affect market confidence and is reflected in building activity data which is indicating decade low numbers for future new home construction.

“Building businesses are feeling swamped and heavily weighed down by this constant attack on changing rules and increasing complexity, and at a time when we need more skilled workers, we are seeing more people leave our industry than enter it.

“It is time all parts of Government came together, to work in a coordinated way to commit to providing stable and reliable policies, and measures to support and grow the building industry – with the ultimate goal of building these much-needed homes.

“New housing is already one of the most highly taxed and regulated sectors in the economy, and any further increases to tax settings or increased regulatory complexity would only make that situation worse and ultimately result in less homes being built.

“Increasing the supply of housing is the key to addressing affordability. This will involve adequate release of land for new dwellings, increasing the density of housing in metropolitan areas, unlocking further land and infrastructure investment in regional areas and supporting investment in new housing.

“The focus needs to be on how we get more slabs poured that will result in the keys getting in the front doors of buyers’ and indeed renters’ pockets quicker,” concluded Ms Martin.

For more information please contact:

Jocelyn Martin

Managing Director

Simon Croft

Chief Executive - Industry & Policy
Latest articles
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26 Jul
A plan for land is a plan for housing

“Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth are seeing residential land values grow at a rapid rate, while Sydney and Melbourne’s values remain relatively stable,” stated HIA Senior Economist Matt King.

26 Jul
New plumbing and drainage inspection procedures in Huntlee and-North Rothbury area

Plumbing and drainage inspections in the Huntlee and North Rothbury areas are moving from Cessnock City Council to Building Commission NSW.

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BASIX transition period ending soon

The BASIX Transition period for eligible signed building contracts will end on 30 September 2024. BASIX Certificates must be generated by this date to apply the pre-1 October 2023 BASIX standards.

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Lingering worker shortages see trade rates continue to rise

“As the number of new homes under construction continues to decline builders are reporting fewer difficulties scheduling skilled trades workers on their jobs, although availability of skilled workers remains worse than prior to the pandemic,” stated Geordan Murray, HIA Executive Director – Future Workforce.