Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | Hansard source

When it comes to the issues that Senator Evans rightfully draws my attention to, having said that interest rates are the most important factor in relation to housing, the home owners grant that we most sensibly introduced at the time of the new tax system’s introduction was very much and overtly in recognition of the consequences for home purchasers of the introduction of the goods and services tax. We made it quite clear at the time that it would not be means tested, and we have held to that very clear policy from that time forward. This was and is a grant which acknowledges the one-off impact of the goods and services tax on the purchase of a home. It is an appropriate and very popular grant. It is administered by the Labor states, as Senator Carr knows.

We always welcome and encourage the non-frontbench members of the coalition team putting forward their ideas with vigour and enthusiasm. I can attest to that being the case in the coalition party room. I have great respect for Mr Ciobo, his intelligence, his interest in policy development and his concern to ensure that the maximum number of Australians do have the opportunity to purchase a home. But in this case the government’s policy is quite clear, and we will maintain the non-means-tested home owners grant.