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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location"Let's Build Australia": HIA demands bold action on housing ahead of Federal Election
"Let's Build Australia": HIA demands bold action on housing ahead of Federal Election
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HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin warned of the stark realities facing the country, unprecedented levels of homelessness, impossible access to rental accommodation and a growing view that home ownership is a thing of the past.
“We are simply not building enough homes to keep up with demand. Australia needs to build around 240,000 new homes per year, every year, to meet demand and put downward pressure on affordability but in the last 12 months under 180,000 were completed. Not only is this shortfall driving up prices, worsening affordability, and placing enormous pressure on renters and families across the country but also means we are set to fall well below the Government’s commitment to build 1.2 million homes over five years,” Ms Martin said.
“In the coming weeks and months, we will be asking both sides to stop politicising housing and consider the pressing challenges confronting Australians and the building industry. While the recipe to building more homes is not new, we need our leaders to own the housing supply problem and to work together with industry for solutions.
“The recognition of construction industry skill shortages and recent infrastructure announcements are positive but to really move the dial on building activity long term action is needed to address the structural issues confronting the housing industry.
“Taxation policies are playing a major role in driving up costs. Taxes now account for up to 50% of the cost of a new home in most major cities. Immediate reforms are needed to remove inefficiencies like stamp duty cascading onto GST, which unfairly inflate housing prices and make affordability even harder to achieve.
“Land supply remains another significant hurdle, with a lack of development-ready land stalling housing projects across the country.
“We have hundreds of housing sites ready to go but held back due to inadequate infrastructure. The Federal Government must invest in the roads, water, and services needed to deliver these projects.
“In 2025 we ask all political parties to be outraged over the status quo and be bold, be courageous and prioritise initiatives which directly improve housing supply. Let’s build the homes Australians need and ensure everyone has a place to call home,” Ms Martin concluded.
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Signs of a pulse in Canberra building approvals
Building approvals for dwellings in Canberra for the year to the end of March have shown some signs that the market may be turning the corner but still remain well below government targets.
Low volume of home building but labour shortages linger
“Australia has just seen its two weakest years of new home commencements in over a decade, meaning these ongoing shortages of skilled trades are not being caused by home building activity,” stated HIA Chief Economist, Tim Reardon.
Building approvals strengthen in March quarter
“There were 48,620 new homes approved for construction in the first quarter of 2025, up by 20.8 per cent on a year earlier,” stated HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt.
New Government must put housing as first order of business
“The Housing Industry Association (HIA) calls on the newly elected Federal Government to make housing a first-order priority from day one, any delay or political grandstanding will only deepen the nation’s housing crisis,” HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin said today.