FIRST HOME AND HOUSING CONSTRUCTION GRANTS (ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA) AMENDMENT BILL

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 16 October 2013.)

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (15:28): I rise on behalf of Liberal members to support the second reading of the First Home and Housing Construction Grants (Eligibility Criteria) Amendment Bill. The Housing Construction Grant was first introduced in October 2012 and was to run initially until 1 June 2013. The government then announced an extension for a further six months until 1 January 2014. The Housing Construction Grant, which is $8,500, is available for new homes where the market value does not exceed $400,000 and phases out for new homes with a market value between $400,000 and $450,000 at a rate of $17 for every $100 in excess of $400,000.

Under this scheme it was intended that only one grant was payable in relation to each new house. One of the problems has been that, evidently in practice, both owner-builders and purchasers are eligible to apply for the grant. Under the current act, the grant can be paid to either. What has occurred is the result of a number of cases—and the advice from the government is five cases to date—where there has been a conflict arising from both the owner-builder and the purchaser applying for the grant in relation to the same property. There is actually some conflict as to whom the grant should be paid, so the purpose of this short bill is to clarify the eligibility criteria in order to avoid it happening. The intention of the government was for the grant to assist the purchaser, and this bill seeks to amend the act to ensure that that is what occurs.

The owner-builder will still be able to receive the grant in certain circumstances, but the intention and the first priority is given to the purchaser if there are conflicting claims in relation to the same property. Just to be explicit, the bill does not allow the parties to a transaction to agree between themselves as to who should receive the grant. The shadow treasurer, who has the carriage of the bill for the Liberal Party, has indicated that the Liberal Party will support the legislation, and we are happy to do so this afternoon.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:30): I thank the honourable member for his contribution. I understand that there are no further second reading contributions and we look forward to this being dealt with expeditiously through the committee stage.

Bill read a second time.

Committee Stage

Bill taken through committee without amendment.

Third Reading

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:33): I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Bill read a third time and passed.