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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationWhat ‘matters most’ to the Victorian government – getting re-elected
What ‘matters most’ to the Victorian government – getting re-elected
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“This budget, branded as ‘Focused on What Matters Most’, fails to respond to problems with our home building industry and instead seeks to relieve symptoms caused by the government’s failure to act. It seems that what matters most to the Victorian government is providing short-term relief to voters in the hope that it will help them be re-elected next year.
“Trading conditions for many new home builders have become increasingly precarious in the face of over-reaching new regulations, poor consumer confidence and escalating construction costs – many of which have been compounded by Victoria’s punitive property tax regime.
“Unfortunately, this year’s budget does little to reduce the prohibitive cost of new home building, apart from the previously foreshadowed decision to extend the stamp duty concession for off-the-plan apartments, units and townhouses for a further 12 months.
“Unfortunately, many Victorians continue to be robbed of choice when it comes to housing type as the scheme still doesn’t apply to new detached homes which are crucial for meeting the Victorian Housing Statement target of 800,000 homes in ten years.
“The extension of the stamp duty concession may lift housing demand by improving affordability and may result in some new apartment projects being brought forward that would otherwise stay on the drawing board.
“But this is pretty much as good as this year’s Budget gets for home builders.
“There is some funding allocated for TAFE and for apprenticeship support officers. Some additional funding for small business support has also been included.
“There is however no additional funding for the new Victorian Building and Plumbing Commission. This makes the already unrealistic expectation that it will provide enhanced consumer protection even less likely.
“With a focus on providing cost of living relief, the Budget delivers on the Treasurer’s promise not to include any new taxes. However, the fact that there’s very few transactions or classes of assets that have yet to be taxed by the Allan Government is little consolation to Victorian industry and the wider community.
“Any government claim that Victoria is a great place to do business is unrealistic thanks to this budget,” concluded Mr Ryan.
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