Page 2365 - Week 06 - Thursday, 10 May 2012
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
MR BARR: No, it is not the scheme, Mr Seselja.
Mr Hanson: It’s not your scheme?
MR BARR: No, it is not the fault of the scheme. Some of the issues that have occurred relate to contractual arrangements between builders and their clients.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Members, thank you. The minister is answering the question.
MR BARR: That is very good advice, Mr Seselja. I look forward to everything that you could possibly do in relation to housing affordability from your cynical perch over there on the opposition benches.
Members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Mr Barr, one moment, thank you. Mr Barr, let us focus on the question that has been asked and try to ignore the interjections. Just focus on your answer, thank you.
MR BARR: The government is providing what assistance it can, but we cannot intervene in civil matters between a builder and clients.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Coe, a supplementary.
MR COE: Minister, is it fair that first homebuyers who utilise the OwnPlace scheme should have to pay rates on their land, despite delays in construction of more than a year?
MR BARR: There are allowances and special circumstances that allow for waivers to be provided in some circumstances where hardship is incurred. That opportunity is there for people to avail themselves of.
In relation to delays in building, that is not something the government can take responsibility for. It cannot take responsibility for that, but if there are any individuals in financial hardship, then I, of course, am always open to consider the possibility of waiving fees for those individuals.
MR SESELJA: Supplementary.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Seselja.
MR SESELJA: How many OwnPlace blocks have been sold and how many have had completed homes built?
MR BARR: I understand around 1,200, of which 600 are complete, but I will check those figures and if there are more updated numbers I can provide them to the Assembly.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video