❓ Hon Neil Thomson raises concerns about housing affordability for young Western Australians, citing a Domain report and questioning the Minister for Planning and Lands on the increase in entry-level home prices and DevelopmentWA's role. The Minister's response highlights government initiatives to support first home buyers and provides data on housing lots released by DevelopmentWA.
AnsweredQoN 61Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Housing—Affordability
61. Hon Neil Thomson to
the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Planning and Lands:
I
refer to a report by Domain that shows that the great Australian dream of
owning your own home is becoming increasingly unrealistic for many young Western
Australians, and acknowledge the hurt and suffering that many young people feel
because of WA Labor's failures in its planning and housing policies.
(1) C an the minister outline why
entry-level homes are now $780,000, an increase of 22.1% on 2025, when the
minister's own agency, DevelopmentWA, is responsible for such a significant
part of the market for new land and new homes in Perth?
(2) W hat has been the average
cost of housing lots released for private sale in metropolitan Perth by
DevelopmentWA over the periods:
(a) 2022–23;
(b) 2023–24; and
(c) 2024–25?
The President: Honestly! Standing
order 105 requires that questions be concise. "Concise" absolutely
includes the level and depth of data sought. I hope that the parliamentary
secretary is able to provide an answer based on the extensive nature of that
question and that that answer is also concise.
61. Hon Neil Thomson to
the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Planning and Lands:
I
refer to a report by Domain that shows that the great Australian dream of
owning your own home is becoming increasingly unrealistic for many young Western
Australians, and acknowledge the hurt and suffering that many young people feel
because of WA Labor's failures in its planning and housing policies.
(1) C an the minister outline why
entry-level homes are now $780,000, an increase of 22.1% on 2025, when the
minister's own agency, DevelopmentWA, is responsible for such a significant
part of the market for new land and new homes in Perth?
(2) W hat has been the average
cost of housing lots released for private sale in metropolitan Perth by
DevelopmentWA over the periods:
(a) 2022–23;
(b) 2023–24; and
(c) 2024–25?
The President: Honestly! Standing
order 105 requires that questions be concise. "Concise" absolutely
includes the level and depth of data sought. I hope that the parliamentary
secretary is able to provide an answer based on the extensive nature of that
question and that that answer is also concise.
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question and provide the following on
behalf of the Minister for Planning and Lands.
(1) The Cook Labor government is
resolute in its commitment to deliver more housing for Western Australians,
including first home buyers. DevelopmentWA develops and releases residential
land across the state, including locations where market failure has been
experienced and it is not feasible for private developers to supply lots to
market. There are also many initiatives to support young Western Australians to
purchase their first home, including, for example, expanded Keystart offerings
for modular homes and the shared ownership program for new or under-construction
apartments, townhouses or other multi-residential dwellings. Our government
also continues to offer support via increased thresholds for stamp duty
concessions.
(2) (a) It
was 1,212;
(b) it was 1,603; and
(c) it was 1,491.
honourable member for some notice of the question and provide the following on
behalf of the Minister for Planning and Lands.
(1) The Cook Labor government is
resolute in its commitment to deliver more housing for Western Australians,
including first home buyers. DevelopmentWA develops and releases residential
land across the state, including locations where market failure has been
experienced and it is not feasible for private developers to supply lots to
market. There are also many initiatives to support young Western Australians to
purchase their first home, including, for example, expanded Keystart offerings
for modular homes and the shared ownership program for new or under-construction
apartments, townhouses or other multi-residential dwellings. Our government
also continues to offer support via increased thresholds for stamp duty
concessions.
(2) (a) It
was 1,212;
(b) it was 1,603; and
(c) it was 1,491.
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