Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Housing and Urban Development) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Minchin, the Minister representing the Treasurer. Is the minister aware that the chair of the coalition’s backbench Treasury committee, Mr Steven Ciobo, is quoted in the Age of 6 February 2006 as saying:

Australian real estate is among the most expensive in the world.

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Those on lower incomes are struggling to save a deposit for a home. Nearly 9 per cent of Australians spend one-third of their pay on rent and simply don’t have the capacity to put additional money aside.

Does the government agree with Mr Ciobo that Australia is facing a housing affordability crisis? Is the minister aware that, as part of his solution to this problem, Mr Ciobo has proposed means testing the first home owners grant on the basis of household income as well as capping the value of the home that can be purchased? Can the minister indicate whether the government intends to adopt Mr Ciobo’s proposals?