❓ Opposition Leader McGowan questions Premier Barnett's assessment of housing affordability in WA, citing unaffordability surveys and high land prices. The Premier acknowledges difficulties for young buyers but defends WA's stamp duty concessions.
AnsweredQoN 358Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
HOUSING
AFFORDABILITY
358. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
I refer to the Premier's
comments this morning that housing affordability is still pretty good in
Western Australia compared with most parts of the world; and for somebody
buying a $500 000 or $600 000 house as a first home buyer, the stamp duty is
pretty small.
(1) What has the
Premier based these comments on, considering the Demographia housing
affordability survey rates the Perth housing market as severely unaffordable?
(2) Is it not
true that the median price for land in Perth is $600 a square metre, which is
the most expensive in the country?
AFFORDABILITY
358. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
I refer to the Premier's
comments this morning that housing affordability is still pretty good in
Western Australia compared with most parts of the world; and for somebody
buying a $500 000 or $600 000 house as a first home buyer, the stamp duty is
pretty small.
(1) What has the
Premier based these comments on, considering the Demographia housing
affordability survey rates the Perth housing market as severely unaffordable?
(2) Is it not
true that the median price for land in Perth is $600 a square metre, which is
the most expensive in the country?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2)
I think housing is usually the greatest investment anyone will make in his or
her lifetime. Perth has a history of being affordable, given the many
differences in the way in which cottage homes are constructed here.
Mr M. McGowan :
Least affordable in the country!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The member asked the question, I am answering it. The point I was making —
Mr M. McGowan : You're
ill informed.
The SPEAKER :
Leader of the Opposition!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The point I guess I was making this morning in that context was that, for young
people buying homes today, it is difficult because there is not the choice of
low-cost housing stock around that perhaps there was 20 years ago. There are
not the old houses that can be renovated and the like, and I think anyone
probably within 15 to 20 kilometres even from Perth will find it difficult. I
think the housing industry can do a better job in providing more affordable
housing—not in the sense of subsidised, but more designs, like terrace
housing and the like, that may provide the point of market entry. I recognise
that it is difficult for young people. I think we will find that most people—young
couples or single people—buying properties are paying very large
amounts of money. But if we compare the concessions on stamp duty, even with
the changes we made, which I think are appropriate, Western Australia compares
very favourably with other states.
I think housing is usually the greatest investment anyone will make in his or
her lifetime. Perth has a history of being affordable, given the many
differences in the way in which cottage homes are constructed here.
Mr M. McGowan :
Least affordable in the country!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The member asked the question, I am answering it. The point I was making —
Mr M. McGowan : You're
ill informed.
The SPEAKER :
Leader of the Opposition!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The point I guess I was making this morning in that context was that, for young
people buying homes today, it is difficult because there is not the choice of
low-cost housing stock around that perhaps there was 20 years ago. There are
not the old houses that can be renovated and the like, and I think anyone
probably within 15 to 20 kilometres even from Perth will find it difficult. I
think the housing industry can do a better job in providing more affordable
housing—not in the sense of subsidised, but more designs, like terrace
housing and the like, that may provide the point of market entry. I recognise
that it is difficult for young people. I think we will find that most people—young
couples or single people—buying properties are paying very large
amounts of money. But if we compare the concessions on stamp duty, even with
the changes we made, which I think are appropriate, Western Australia compares
very favourably with other states.
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