Page 1920 - Week 09 - Thursday, 19 October 1989
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MRS GRASSBY (Minister for Housing and Urban Services) (4.36), in reply: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank those members of the Assembly who have made a constructive contribution to the housing policy debate during the course of the consideration of my ministerial statement on the housing policy review.
I wish to highlight to this Assembly the community's reaction to the first stage of the housing reform that I outlined in my statement. The ACT Council of Social Services noted that the statement included important measures that would assist in reducing the housing related poverty in the ACT; the ACT Youth Accommodation Group praised the Government for getting serious about addressing the pressing needs for young homeless people; and the Real Estate Institute described the stamp duty exemption as a ray of sunshine for the housing hopefuls. The Housing Industry Association said this statement presents some long-term and exciting opportunities for the housing industry. The Canberra Times on 28 September described the review as a radical overhaul of ACT housing whereby a number of formal policies have been overturned and replaced with policies consistent with the Government's social justice priorities.
I do not, however, wish to concentrate on the measures we have so far announced. The Government has acted decisively and stated the progress of reform. We must now proceed to put in place these new schemes but at the same time continue to examine the outstanding policy issues. There are some basic factors which should always guide decisions in housing policies, and these will continue to influence the decision of the Government. Housing policies at the local level cannot be isolated from the national economic policy. It will affect the capacity of individuals to obtain access to appropriate and affordable housing.
The cost of land and houses and the cost of borrowing would impact upon both the number of people seeking home ownership or rental housing assistance and the length of time they may have to wait for this assistance. The creative skills of the private sector and the lending practices of the private financial institutions will also influence the demand for assistance.
The economic, taxation and investment policies of the Commonwealth will influence the extent of the investment in private rental dwellings and hence the supply and price of rental housing. Shifting population, family formation and social change factors will influence the need for special forms of assistance.
These private sector issues will, in turn, profoundly influence the direction that the ACT Government housing policy must follow. We must also be concerned about the effective operation of those agencies charged with the administration of housing responsibilities. The resources provided by the Government will need to be provided to
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