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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-07-02 Daily Xml
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HomeBuilder Program

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (14:23): My question is to the Treasurer. Can the Treasurer update the chamber on the progress with the commonwealth on eligibility conditions for the new HomeBuilder scheme?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (14:23): I am pleased to be able to report that there has been some progress made at officer level in terms of trying to clarify the terms and conditions of the very important HomeBuilder grant that the commonwealth government has offered. I might note, by way of update to the chamber, that as of 9am this morning we were advised that there have been 6,205 registrations—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: How many?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: —6,205 registrations of interest in the HomeBuilder package, together with, clearly, some of those would also be eligible for the $15,000 state first home builder grant. I hasten to say that not all those people who have expressed interest will eventually be deemed to be eligible; nevertheless, there is a huge degree of interest in the scheme, bearing in mind that in the commonwealth government's original estimations of the number of grants that might be paid nationally, South Australia's share of that national total was estimated to be just under 2,000. So the registrations of interest are more than three times the number that was estimated to be our share of the total number of grants that might be payable under the scheme. Again, not all of the 6,205 registrations may be eligible.

There have been a number of issues raised; I think the Hon. Mr Pangallo and others have raised issues in the chamber, but stakeholders such as the MBA, the HIA and other industry stakeholders have raised a series of questions in relation to the eligibility conditions and the interpretation of those conditions. I indicated to the chamber earlier this week or last sitting week that we were pleased to report that the commonwealth had indicated a degree of flexibility in the three-month provision between the signing of the contract and the commencement of construction.

Industry stakeholders have raised the question of the definition of commencement of construction. In relation to the First Home Owner Grant, it has traditionally been the laying of the slab, in terms of the foundation, but there has been discussion with the commonwealth and I am pleased to report that, as of a discussion held yesterday, at this stage the commonwealth is prepared to leave it to the states to be a little bit flexible (my words, not theirs) in relation to the commencement date.

It is our intention, in accordance with some of the submissions industry stakeholders have put to us, that rather than the laying of the slab we will broadly look at the commencement of excavation. Clearly, that is an earlier stage than the laying of the slab, and it is something industry stakeholders have been lobbying for in terms of greater flexibility. We welcome that acknowledgement from the commonwealth in relation to the additional flexibility that will apply to the many people queueing up to apply.

Furthermore, it would appear that at this stage, although there is still a little bit of work to be done, the commonwealth is prepared, in terms of unforeseen events—as I have reported to the house before—that we, the states, are able to extend the three-month period for unforeseen events. Clearly, we need to get guidance from the commonwealth as to what is deemed to be an unforeseen event or not, and what flexibility we have.

Again, although there is a little bit more work to be done, it would appear there is likely to be an agreement, in relation to significant planning issues, that a number of those may be accepted by the commonwealth as an unforeseen event. That is very important in terms of being able to provide some degree of comfort to those who might be held up by planning issues, in particular with local government.

I will also say, very quickly, that my very hardworking and competent ministerial colleague the Hon. Stephan Knoll has convened a meeting with the seven biggest metropolitan councils in terms of this issue to see whether or not there is a capacity to fast-track planning approvals and consideration that might otherwise hinder the HomeBuilder grant applications. I commend him on his and his department's initiative on that, and hope that may speed up consideration by the seven biggest metropolitan councils in terms of planning applications.

The one remaining area where we have not yet been able to make progress and where we continue to talk to federal officers is the issue of building finance; that is, bank approvals, etc. We have not yet got to a landing on that that we are entirely comfortable with, and will continue to negotiate with commonwealth officers to see whether or not we can get some greater degree of flexibility for state officers in interpreting what is or is not an unforeseen event.

With that, can I conclude by saying state officers are continuing to work with the commonwealth in terms of trying to get the greatest degree of flexibility in terms of this HomeBuilder scheme so that we can see the maximum value for the housing construction industry in South Australia from what is a commendable federal government initiative.

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