The Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, and Eastern Victoria MP, Melina Bath, met with Housing Industry Association (HIA) members and Gippsland builders last week to learn more about the barriers to home ownership and housing choice.
They heard firsthand how increasing government taxes, fees, charges and planning delays are driving up housing costs and making home ownership harder to achieve.
“After 12 years of Labor, housing has become more expensive, approvals take longer and aspiring homeowners are paying the price,” Mr Cameron said.
“Builders told us they are ready to build more homes, but excessive bureaucracy and planning delays continue to slow projects and push up costs.
“Housing affordability starts with housing supply.
“The Nationals in government will unlock land, speed up approvals and restore confidence in Victoria’s building sector so more homes can be delivered, faster.”
Mr Cameron said regional Victoria had a vital role to play in addressing the housing shortage, but growth needed to be supported by sensible planning and infrastructure.
“The solution is a planning system that partners with industry, supports growth and helps deliver more homes for regional Victorian families,” he said.
Ms Bath said the cost of building a home in Victoria was being driven higher by escalating government taxes, fees and charges, placing additional pressure on families and first home buyers.
“Home ownership should be achievable for more Victorians, not less, right now, too many families are finding the dream of owning a home slipping further out of reach,” Ms Bath said.
“We will drive practical reforms that encourage housing delivery, including stamp duty relief for eligible first home buyers, reducing Victoria’s growing property tax burden and restoring the land tax-free threshold.
“Combined with faster approvals, more land supply and reduced red tape, The Nationals and Liberals will help deliver support the next generation of Victorian homeowners.”
“Our plan is focused on getting more homes built, faster, reducing costs for homebuyers and restoring the dream of home ownership for the next generation of Victorians.”
