HOUSING CONSTRUCTION APPROVALS

Ms BETTISON (Ramsay) (14:27): My question is to the Minister for Housing and Urban Development. Can the minister please update the house on housing construction approvals in South Australia?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (14:28): I thank the member for this very important question. The government remains committed to the housing construction sector in South Australia. That is why when the housing construction industry came to us seeking assistance, we acted. That is why this government made the bold decision in October to introduce the housing construction grant and the subsequent decision to extend the program until the end of the calendar year.

Combined with stamp duty concessions and the First Home Owners Grant, home buyers can save up to $39,830 on a property. That is nearly a year's wage for many hardworking South Australians. Since introducing that stimulus, we have seen fantastic results in building approvals in South Australia. The latest ABS statistics show that the number of dwelling approvals rose by 15 per cent in May, on seasonally adjusted terms. This comes on top of an 8.9 per cent increase in April. That is a fantastic result, considering nationally there was a fall of 1.1 per cent in May.

The signs are even stronger when you look at the trend term results. According to the latest ABS statistics, dwelling approvals are 21 per cent higher than a year earlier. This is nearly three times more than the national growth rate of 7.1 per cent in the year to May 2013. In trend terms, building approvals in South Australia have now increased for 11 consecutive months. By every measure, there is strong and growing evidence of an underlying trend towards a welcome recovery in the local housing sector. This recovery has been supported by this government's decision to provide significant assistance to homebuyers, particularly people wanting to build a new home or buy an off-the-plan apartment.

In May, 377 homeowners took advantage of the state government's construction grants. To date, 1,627 homeowners have taken advantage of the program. That is an extra 1,627 homes being built in South Australia, and an extra 1,627 homes supporting our construction industry and keeping our tradies employed. The government is proud of our achievements to provide affordable homes for South Australians while supporting the housing construction industry. Our path to support and stimulate our economy is clear. I think that is a clear indication that the government's program is working and we are calling the opposition to support us in this program.

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: Supplementary, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: Before you do so, I call the member for Heysen to order for repeatedly interjecting during the Minister for Infrastructure's answer. Supplementary, member for Davenport.