FIRST HOME AND HOUSING CONSTRUCTION GRANTS (BUDGET 2013) AMENDMENT BILL

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 6 June 2013.)

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (15:38): The opposition's understanding of this particular measure is that it amends the First Home and Housing Construction Grants Act 2000, it extends the eligible transaction date for the $8,500 Housing Construction Grant from 1 July 2013 to 1 January 2014, and extends the completion dates for new homes from 31 December 2014 to 30 June 2015. The Liberal Party supports this particular measure and will not be opposing the bill.

If the minister cares to explain, in his response to the second reading contribution, how many grants have been issued in the past 12 months, or the number of grants that are expected to be issued in the 12 months of the provision, that would assist the opposition and would save us going into committee.

The other points on which we would seek clarification are whether this is simply for new homes, and whether it is statewide. We would also seek an explanation as to why it has only been extended for six months (to 1 January), given the government's claim that the scheme has been so successful. With those few comments, we support the bill.

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN (Napier—Minister for Finance, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:39): I thank the member for Davenport for his extensive probing and well-informed contribution. In answer to the question he asked in relation to the expected uptake of the numbers, I have not been able to do the calculation, but the amount that is contained in the budget is $38.6 million and the value per grant is $8,500.

The Hon. I.F. Evans: I was asking for the last 12 months.

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN: My advisers do not have that information. By simple math we can determine what we expect the uptake to be over the next 12 months, but I will not do that. It is basically $38.6 million divided by $8,500. I think it would be fair to assume, member for Davenport, that that would be based in large part on the uptake over the previous 12 months, so it will be double that figure, but I will come back to you, if you are happy with that explanation.

The Hon. I.F. Evans: I would like you to come back to me, yes. Is it statewide?

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN: Yes, it is. It applies to all newly-built homes.

Bill read a second time.

Third Reading

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN (Napier—Minister for Finance, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:42): I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Bill read a third time and passed.