Mr HAMPTON - 2007-05-03
Can the minister please outline this government’s investment in housing under Budget 2007-08?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for his question. Budget 2007-08 has delivered a record housing spend. Around $113m will be spent right across the Northern Territory on a whole range of infrastructure-type projects. As part of the package, there will be $55m spent on indigenous housing in the bush communities right throughout the Northern Territory. There will also be a further $15m for government employee housing in the bush. This, in itself, is a good initiative, along with the Indigenous Housing program to provide appropriate, environmentally sound housing for our many public servants who live out there.
The other important point that I wish to make is that we are going to commit $5m this year as part of the $100m upgrade for indigenous housing across the bush. When I mentioned government employees, negotiations are continuing, but part of the $100m will also be used for indigenous government employees: ACPOs, teachers, indigenous people who traditionally have not been able to access government employee housing. I believe that is a great initiative.
Right across the Northern Territory, there will be a $6.9m upgrade of what we call the tailored upgrades. They are for housing, mainly in the regional centres right throughout the Northern Territory. That also incorporates a community renewal-type program. For Kurringal flats, we are going to allocate approximately $2m for mainly external-type upgrades. That is a great initiative in Darwin. There are also programs occurring in Blain Street in my electorate in Tennant Creek.
All in all, member for Stuart, it is quite extensive. It is a commitment by this government to provide real housing for people in the bush communities.
The other issue I want to refer to relates to the HomeNorth Extra package which was announced by the Treasurer the other day. We have heard much said in this House recently by the Minister for Planning and Lands, and the Treasurer. What we are talking about is an increase in the stamp duty concessions from $225 000 up to $350 000. That is almost $8000 in the first homebuyer’s pocket; a really great initiative.
The Minister for Planning and Lands also mentioned the $7m put into the Bellamack development. That is important because, as the minister has indicated, we are talking about a 10% input as part of the $7m in regard to first homebuyer opportunities, but also in regard to public housing. We did that previously with the Larapinta project in Alice Springs. Certainly, the principle was used. This government has great capacity to engage with developers into the future in incorporating opportunities for first homebuyers and also for public housing.
The shared equity increase is up to $70 000 from $60 000, which enables those people on lower incomes to purchase their homes, and that will be welcomed by many. The $10 000 loan will remain for whitegoods. That flows on to the business community right across the Northern Territory, which is another great outcome. The 2% deposit in respect of HomeNorth applicants is also welcome.
The other point which probably has not been raised too much is the fact that, since HomeNorth has been in existence, 300 existing Territory Housing clients have purchased their homes through the HomeNorth scheme. That is a really good outcome. As members know, you purchase your home and you finally cement a stake in your community in the Territory. That, too, is a very good outcome.
To add to that, as part of this new package, we are putting in place opportunities for public servants who have lived in their houses for a period in excess of five years to be able to purchase their homes. That will be uncapped. The property will be independently valued. Again, that is another important opportunity.
Mr Wood: Are you keeping ahead of the ones you sell? Are you replacing them?
Mr McADAM: That is an interesting question. If you want to ask me that, I am quite happy to answer it. What we are talking about is opportunities for people to get into their first home, to own their own home. This deals with the group of people earning up to $70 000 a family, $60 000 a couple, and $50 000 for a single. These are all great opportunities to get people into home ownership.
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Mr McADAM: No, I am finished.
Madam SPEAKER: What is your point of order?
Mr MILLS: I draw your attention to a clear strategy of government. You have seen it, I am sure; I have too. It is to ensure that government members now fill up as much time as possible.
Mr Stirling: He is finished. He is sitting down.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for his question. Budget 2007-08 has delivered a record housing spend. Around $113m will be spent right across the Northern Territory on a whole range of infrastructure-type projects. As part of the package, there will be $55m spent on indigenous housing in the bush communities right throughout the Northern Territory. There will also be a further $15m for government employee housing in the bush. This, in itself, is a good initiative, along with the Indigenous Housing program to provide appropriate, environmentally sound housing for our many public servants who live out there.
The other important point that I wish to make is that we are going to commit $5m this year as part of the $100m upgrade for indigenous housing across the bush. When I mentioned government employees, negotiations are continuing, but part of the $100m will also be used for indigenous government employees: ACPOs, teachers, indigenous people who traditionally have not been able to access government employee housing. I believe that is a great initiative.
Right across the Northern Territory, there will be a $6.9m upgrade of what we call the tailored upgrades. They are for housing, mainly in the regional centres right throughout the Northern Territory. That also incorporates a community renewal-type program. For Kurringal flats, we are going to allocate approximately $2m for mainly external-type upgrades. That is a great initiative in Darwin. There are also programs occurring in Blain Street in my electorate in Tennant Creek.
All in all, member for Stuart, it is quite extensive. It is a commitment by this government to provide real housing for people in the bush communities.
The other issue I want to refer to relates to the HomeNorth Extra package which was announced by the Treasurer the other day. We have heard much said in this House recently by the Minister for Planning and Lands, and the Treasurer. What we are talking about is an increase in the stamp duty concessions from $225 000 up to $350 000. That is almost $8000 in the first homebuyer’s pocket; a really great initiative.
The Minister for Planning and Lands also mentioned the $7m put into the Bellamack development. That is important because, as the minister has indicated, we are talking about a 10% input as part of the $7m in regard to first homebuyer opportunities, but also in regard to public housing. We did that previously with the Larapinta project in Alice Springs. Certainly, the principle was used. This government has great capacity to engage with developers into the future in incorporating opportunities for first homebuyers and also for public housing.
The shared equity increase is up to $70 000 from $60 000, which enables those people on lower incomes to purchase their homes, and that will be welcomed by many. The $10 000 loan will remain for whitegoods. That flows on to the business community right across the Northern Territory, which is another great outcome. The 2% deposit in respect of HomeNorth applicants is also welcome.
The other point which probably has not been raised too much is the fact that, since HomeNorth has been in existence, 300 existing Territory Housing clients have purchased their homes through the HomeNorth scheme. That is a really good outcome. As members know, you purchase your home and you finally cement a stake in your community in the Territory. That, too, is a very good outcome.
To add to that, as part of this new package, we are putting in place opportunities for public servants who have lived in their houses for a period in excess of five years to be able to purchase their homes. That will be uncapped. The property will be independently valued. Again, that is another important opportunity.
Mr Wood: Are you keeping ahead of the ones you sell? Are you replacing them?
Mr McADAM: That is an interesting question. If you want to ask me that, I am quite happy to answer it. What we are talking about is opportunities for people to get into their first home, to own their own home. This deals with the group of people earning up to $70 000 a family, $60 000 a couple, and $50 000 for a single. These are all great opportunities to get people into home ownership.
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Mr McADAM: No, I am finished.
Madam SPEAKER: What is your point of order?
Mr MILLS: I draw your attention to a clear strategy of government. You have seen it, I am sure; I have too. It is to ensure that government members now fill up as much time as possible.
Mr Stirling: He is finished. He is sitting down.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016