The election of the new State Government provides an opportunity for a reset and fresh conversations on a range of industry priorities.

HIA has worked hard on its relationships and lobbying efforts over the last twelve months and is well placed to work with the new government over the next four years.

HIA was able to secure several significant commitments from the new government ahead of the election.

• A $2 billion housing infrastructure fund will be created. 
• First home buyers will not pay stamp duty on new homes anymore, and the threshold has been increased for stamp duty concessions on family homes more generally. 
• A new Queensland Productivity Commission is going to review productivity in the Building Industry as its first act, including looking at the impacts of union conditions that have got out of hand.
• Appointment of a Minister responsible for home ownership in addition to the Minister for public and social housing.
• Committing to investing $165 million into a shared equity program to help more people into home ownership.
• The request to have Ministerial oversight over all departments involved in housing delivery has resulted in a commitment to establish the Cabinet Housing Ministerial Taskforce.

This year has also seen the HIA Brisbane office relocate to 17 Byres Street in Newstead. Twenty-five years at Edmonstone Street was a fantastic innings, particularly for those staff who had been there the whole twenty-five years. 

As I said to the staff this new home for HIA is a building we can all be proud to work in, and I have high hopes for the opportunities I think this building can provide and our future here.