❓ Dr. Nahan questions the Premier about the potential negative impact of federal Labor's housing policies on WA's construction industry. The Premier deflects, criticizes the federal government, and defends Labor's housing policy, arguing it incentivizes new construction.
AnsweredQoN 290Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
HOUSING — FEDERAL
LABOR POLICY
290. Dr M.D. NAHAN to the Premier:
With the Speaker's
indulgence, I would like to acknowledge the year 8 students from Perth Modern
School who are present in the public gallery. Although the school is located in
the electorate of the member for Nedlands, the students are from all our
electorates.
I refer to analysis commissioned by
the Master Builders Association showing that Bill Shorten's housing
policy will have a significant negative impact on Western Australia's
economy, including up to $858 million in lost building activity, 2 500 fewer
homes built, and 2 000 fewer jobs created over five years. Given that more than
100 000 Western Australians working in the construction industry are already
struggling under the McGowan government's policies, why is the
government planning to make their lives even harder by supporting federal Labor's
policies?
LABOR POLICY
290. Dr M.D. NAHAN to the Premier:
With the Speaker's
indulgence, I would like to acknowledge the year 8 students from Perth Modern
School who are present in the public gallery. Although the school is located in
the electorate of the member for Nedlands, the students are from all our
electorates.
I refer to analysis commissioned by
the Master Builders Association showing that Bill Shorten's housing
policy will have a significant negative impact on Western Australia's
economy, including up to $858 million in lost building activity, 2 500 fewer
homes built, and 2 000 fewer jobs created over five years. Given that more than
100 000 Western Australians working in the construction industry are already
struggling under the McGowan government's policies, why is the
government planning to make their lives even harder by supporting federal Labor's
policies?
AnswerView source ↗
I will start by saying that
Australia needs a change of government. We have had three Prime Ministers over
the past six years. We have had numerous changes of ministers.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members! A question was asked and the
Premier is trying to give an answer. Let the Premier have his say.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Only four ministers in the current
federal cabinet were there when the federal government was elected. Day in, day
out, Malcolm Turnbull is attacking federal ministers, including Peter Dutton.
We have chaos and a shambolic government Australia-wide. It is time for a change
of government. One thing I will say about Bill Shorten that cannot be said
about the federal government is that Bill Shorten and federal Labor are
prepared to explain how they are going to pay for their commitments. I do not
find credible the analysis that the Leader of the Opposition is quoting,
although I have not seen it. Any changes that are proposed to be made to
negative gearing will be grandfathered and will apply only to existing
properties. It means that those people who buy an existing property in the
future will not be able to negatively gear it. People who build a new property
will be able to negatively gear it. Where is the incentive? The incentive is to
build. I know that a lot of scaremongering is going on. There will be a massive
amount of scaremongering in the course of the next six weeks from the Liberal
and National Parties, but people need to see it for what it is—it is
scaremongering.
Australia needs a change of government. We have had three Prime Ministers over
the past six years. We have had numerous changes of ministers.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members! A question was asked and the
Premier is trying to give an answer. Let the Premier have his say.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Only four ministers in the current
federal cabinet were there when the federal government was elected. Day in, day
out, Malcolm Turnbull is attacking federal ministers, including Peter Dutton.
We have chaos and a shambolic government Australia-wide. It is time for a change
of government. One thing I will say about Bill Shorten that cannot be said
about the federal government is that Bill Shorten and federal Labor are
prepared to explain how they are going to pay for their commitments. I do not
find credible the analysis that the Leader of the Opposition is quoting,
although I have not seen it. Any changes that are proposed to be made to
negative gearing will be grandfathered and will apply only to existing
properties. It means that those people who buy an existing property in the
future will not be able to negatively gear it. People who build a new property
will be able to negatively gear it. Where is the incentive? The incentive is to
build. I know that a lot of scaremongering is going on. There will be a massive
amount of scaremongering in the course of the next six weeks from the Liberal
and National Parties, but people need to see it for what it is—it is
scaremongering.
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