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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2019-11-13 Daily Xml
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Housing Affordability

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (14:45): I never tire, Mr President. On 18 June, minister, you issued a quite substantial media release to the effect of the—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.E. HANSON: Excuse me, Mr President, I require your protection from the Hon. Mr Dawkins, who seems intent on—

The PRESIDENT: I can't rule on anything because no-one has made an objection or a point of order. Start again, the Hon. Mr Hanson.

The Hon. J.E. HANSON: Supplementary on the basis of the minister's original answer. My question to the minister is: on 18 June this year, the minister issued quite a substantial press release in regard to the $104.5 million housing stimulus package. Why did the minister issue such a media release about a package if she is not willing to stand up in parliament to be held accountable for $60 million missing from it?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (14:46): Given that I was the minister responsible for the budget and the Treasury, I am happy to provide further detail in relation to that, and also indirectly, via other ministers, with HomeStart reporting to different minsters. There are a number of ministers who have responsibility in the housing area: the Minister for Human Services, the minister responsible for HomeStart, and ultimately—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order in the opposition benches! The Treasurer is entitled to answer the question.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: Ultimately, I took responsibility on behalf of all ministers in the cabinet for the $104 million housing stimulus package, and other ministers just reflected the words that I had incorporated in the budget speech and budget announcements. So there is no missing $60 million.

We made it quite clear in the budget and in related statements issued by the government in various agencies that the loans that were generated through the announcements the government made would leverage around $60 million in new lending, including $28 million in new construction lending to build 80 new homes, and around $32 million in lending for established properties, leading to 120 housing outcomes for those struggling to buy an established property. All in all, that is $60 million in new lending for home purchases levied from the provision of up to 200 no-deposit loans.

The government made it quite clear, from budget day onwards, in relation to its housing stimulus package. It was warmly supported by most within the housing industry stakeholder groups and others as a very useful housing stimulus package, using and leveraging loan facilities to generate loan activity in the housing and construction industry.

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