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The Coalition will consider halting GST payments to states that are not building enough new homes to force them to do the “heavy lifting” of increasing housing supply.
Shadow assistant minister for home ownership Andrew Bragg told the ABC’s Insider on Sunday that stronger measures were needed to encourage state and local councils to back new developments.
“We need to create and find a way to hit states where it hurts,” he said.
“Otherwise, I fear the housing problem will get worse before it gets better.”
The government has pledged to build 30,000 new social and affordable homes under its plan $10 billion Australian Housing Future FundThe opposition has said it will repeal the bill if elected at the next election.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese agreed to provide $9.3 billion over five years for states and territories for homelessness and crisis support and social housing, with a further $1 billion allocated for community infrastructure to speed up housing construction.
The Coalition has yet to announce its housing supply policy, but Senator Bragg said it would “consider” penalising states that fail to deliver their share of housing construction.
Coalition senator Andrew Bragg said the states needed to shoulder the burden of building more homes. （ABC News: Keena Norton）
“NIMBYism is poison for young people and when you see local councils and state governments blocking development, particularly apartment blocks, it’s a disaster for young people,” he said.
“We’re not in charge of Canberra’s planning system, but we have to find a way for local councils and the state government to actually do the heavy lifting here.”
Health Minister Mark Butler said on Sunday Senator Bragg’s comments created uncertainty for state and territory budgets.
“Certainty around states’ GST arrangements is really critical for these budgets, which ultimately go towards the provision of hospitals, schools and policing services,” he said.
“The huge conundrum that Andrew Bragg has now thrown at the state government will be of concern to all Australians.”
Scheme for first-time homebuyers to access superannuation
Senator Bragg also reiterated the Coalition’s previously announced plan to allow first-home buyers to draw on their superannuation as a deposit, claiming it would have “minimal to zero” impact on house prices.
“The key factor in determining your success in retirement is not your superannuation balance, but your housing situation,” he said.
“Allowing people in their 30s to use their money to buy their first home, for example, will enable them to live better in retirement because if you’re a retired renter living on a pension, your life will be much more difficult than it would otherwise be.”
The coalition’s policy currently states that a maximum of $50,000 can be withdrawn, but Senator Bragg said they are considering raising the threshold.
Senator Andrew Bragg said the federal government needed to “step up” to push the states to increase housing supply. （AAP: Lucas Koch）
Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison adopted the same policy at the last electionThis has sparked criticism from economists, who say this will Doesn’t address underlying housing affordability issues.
Under the 2022 policy, only people who already have a 5% deposit can apply for the scheme, and any money withdrawn from the superannuation must be returned if the home is sold.
Responding to claims the policy would boost demand and therefore house prices, Senator Bragg said the impact would be negligible and it was “crazy” not to allow people to buy homes with their own money.
“It will benefit first-home buyers who won’t be able to get a loan from the bank of mum and dad,” he said.
“A lot of Australians don’t have access to the bank so this is their biggest pool of money.”
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