Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. The design of the government's HomeBuilder program has been criticised internally and publicly. Housing experts are concerned that the HomeBuilder program won't deliver for regional areas, where the required spend will overcapitalise existing houses. The LNP member for Herbert and LNP member for Leichhardt have raised concerns that renovations for houses in their electorates will not meet the $150,000 threshold. Minister, how many Australians in regional areas does the government estimate will access the HomeBuilder program?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Green for that question. Regional areas will benefit from the new construction component comparatively more than other areas, as house and land prices are lower there, allowing them potentially a larger build while remaining under the cap. It is true that we've also included a substantial renovation component as part of this program. That is in recognition of the fact that many Australian families can't afford to buy a bigger home, so a substantial renovation is the best way of supporting a growing family. That is why we've designed the program we have, and we stand by the program, but feel free to keep throwing rocks at it. (Time expired)

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Green, a supplementary question?

Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Canavan has said about the HomeBuilder program, 'I'm worried we are putting ourselves in a weaker position if asset prices in Australia were to fall.' Does Mr Morrison agree with Senator Canavan?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Our focus and our commitment is to put Australia in a stronger position.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Green, a final supplementary question?

Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for New England has said about the HomeBuilder program, 'I'm concerned about the complexity of trying to pay back that debt.' Does Mr Morrison agree with Mr Joyce?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What Senator Green has clearly noticed is that, in the coalition, we've got lots of individual members and senators contributing to the policy debate, which is a fantastic thing. But let me also say to the member for New England and everybody in this chamber that, right around Australia, people are taking out loans to buy land and house packages every single day. People are going to take out loans in order to organise substantial renovations, obviously, on an ongoing basis. This is an important program that is designed to support jobs in the residential construction sector. We will continue to monitor its implementation as we are rolling it out, and we are confident that this is going to make a positive and necessary contribution.