Thursday, 24 March 2022

Home ownership

Mr DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan—Leader of the Opposition) (10:45): I want to draw the chamber’s attention to the data from the Property Council of Australia today showing that 70 per cent of voters fear young people will never be able to buy a home in this country. The figures in Victoria are very strong too. Sixty-seven per cent of Victorians surveyed believed that opportunities for home ownership were receding in this state and did not believe that those who currently do not own a home will necessarily be able to buy one, remembering too that home ownership and housing affordability are closely linked, and housing unaffordability is driven by increasing costs. The property council figures are from 2018, before the windfall gains tax and before the government’s housing tax of $20 000 that they are intending to bring back and put on family homes in metropolitan Melbourne. The property council has calculated almost $182 000 of the average house price and $125 000 of a unit’s price is state government taxes and charges. That is a huge hit, and it is making homes increasingly unaffordable. I say that Victorian families, and young people in particular, should have the opportunity to get into their own homes. Supply needs to be brought forward, costs need to be kept down and big, fat new taxes on housing are not a good idea. The Premier is plainly out of touch when he just dismisses the great Australian dream, which is so important to young people—he is very out of touch on that. I know most young people want a home.