Page 1918 - Week 09 - Thursday, 19 October 1989
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The 1989-90 ACT budget noted that most of the future growth in Canberra's economy will rest in the private sector, which with government financial and regulatory support will provide the stability and activity in employment that the ACT needs.
The annual public housing program also contributes to this. The public housing expenditure alone will provide employment for over 550 people this year. Furthermore, the Government has given support in principle to the establishment of a private sector sponsored rental housing trust in the ACT. This trust will provide up to 500 additional rental dwellings over the next five years, representing another measure to inject greater stability into the ACT housing construction industry.
At question time, Mr Kaine asked the Minister for Housing and Urban Services how the Government intended to spend the $210,000 set aside in this year's budget and whether it would be on staff or housing. If Mr Kaine had carefully read Mrs Grassby's housing policy review he would have found the answers. The information tabled by Mrs Grassby in this Assembly clearly said that the role of the ACT Government is to pass on the Commonwealth subsidy and the subsidy is intended to ensure an adequate return on invested funds. That clearly means that the money will be spent on housing and not on staff.
It appears to me that Mr Kaine is out of step with the private sector views on this proposal. The Housing Industry Association has described it as an exciting proposal. Is Mr Kaine suggesting that this - - -
Mr Humphries: It is not as exciting as our proposal.
Mr Kaine: They have not realised yet they have been brainwashed.
MR WHALAN: Is Mr Kaine suggesting that this community should deny itself an offer of $1m per annum in housing expenditure in five years' time? I respectfully suggest to Mr Kaine that he should discuss this proposal with the private sector. He will find that their views support the Government's action - adequate supply of rental housing.
The problems facing first home buyers, particularly at the lower end of the market, are well recognised. The ACT Government has entered into two joint ventures with the Housing Industry Association and the Master Builders Construction and Housing Association aimed at providing more affordable house and land packages for first home buyers at the lower end of the market.
The two sites at Calwell will ultimately provide some 350 dwelling units, and indications are that the joint venture packages are achieving their desired aims with land starting at about $22,000 and house and land packages starting at around $80,000.
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