Page 1638 - Week 06 - Thursday, 23 July 2020

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can afford to do so under $750,000 so that they can make the most of this $25,000 commonwealth grant. We owe it to all Canberrans, current and future Canberrans, to make sure that we are not locking them out of the housing market.

MS BERRY (Ginninderra—Deputy Chief Minister, Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development, Minister for Housing and Suburban Development, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Minister for Sport and Recreation and Minister for Women) (2.51): I move:

Omit all text after “That this Assembly”, substitute:

“(1) notes:

(a) the Commonwealth Government’s HomeBuilder scheme grants $25 000 for house and land packages valued at less than $750 000;

(b) there are 346 single residential blocks available over the counter through the Suburban Land Agency and the Ginninderry development as at 20 July 2020, ranging in price between $197 000 and $640 000;

(d) there are 188 blocks available through the Suburban Land Agency and from the Ginninderry development as at 20 July 2020, which are priced below $420,000 and could meet the combined thresholds under HomeBuilder; and

(e) the ACT Government:

(i) was not consulted prior to the Commonwealth Government’s HomeBuilder announcement;

(ii) worked with the Commonwealth Government following the announcement of HomeBuilder to ensure those in the Territory who could meet the eligibility criteria would gain access to the Commonwealth scheme; and

(iii) since the announcement, worked with Commonwealth officials to address implementation issues associated with definitions, compliance and monitoring;

(2) further notes that the ACT Government:

(a) has removed stamp duty for eligible owner occupier home buyers until 30 June 2021, with no stamp duty on single residential dwelling blocks and no stamp duty on off-the-plan unit titled purchases up to $500 000;

(b) has significantly reduced stamp duty for eligible owner occupier home buyers until 30 June 2021, with an $11 400 stamp duty reduction for off the-plan unit titled purchases between $500 000 and $750 000;

(c) prices land according to its market value as determined by multiple independent valuations to ensure transparency and probity; and

(d) uses the revenue from the sale of scarce land to fund infrastructure and services for Canberrans; and

(3) calls on the ACT Government to continue to implement its affordable housing agenda and work towards further diversifying housing choice consistent with the ACT Housing Strategy.”.

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