Page 233 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 30 May 1989
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tabled those terms of reference last Thursday. In my speech I said that the review would be about real results and that we would talk to all groups during the review. This meant groups outside as well as all-party groups in the Assembly.
I also said that the terms of reference have been framed so that all issues in the area of public and private sector housing, the industry and the role of government could be properly considered. In tabling the terms of reference, I said that the review would have regard to changes in the Commonwealth Government housing policy. I have been told that the Commonwealth Minister for Housing and Aged Care, Mr Peter Staples, will be writing to me in the very near future about changes to the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement.
These changes will be considered as part of the review and could have a major bearing on its outcomes. The ACT is not yet a formal party to the agreement but operates under the same arrangements. With self-government it is my view that we should now take our full place with the States. I believe that the terms of reference enable the issues raised by Mr Duby to be properly considered.
I would now like to comment on the issues raised by Mr Duby. I took into account what I thought he would raise after speaking to him on the review. I turn first to home ownership. The Government recognises the problems created by higher interest rates, especially for low to moderate income first home buyers. I know that low start loans can cause serious problems, and I expect that home purchase will be a major concern for the review. The private sector's view must be taken into account to see how we can improve the form of housing loans. This has become a very serious situation for young people today.
The review will also address the related costs of buying a home, such as stamp duty, legal fees and conveyancing costs. The Government is anxious to ensure that ACT home buyers are not faced with any unnecessary costs. We are watching the effect of the private sector land development. The ACT Administration holds about 2,000 blocks of land at the moment. Most of this will be offered for sale over the next 12 months. Through our planning and land supply measures we must aim to keep land prices as low as we can in order to help first home buyers.
For example, the ACT is a partner in broad acre estate development with the Housing Industry Association and the Master Builders Association on two separate estates. These estates are to produce low cost housing, and the developers are required to sell 60 per cent for first home buyers. With regard to the Commissioner for Housing loans scheme I have already stated that I would expect the review to provide advice on ways in which the scheme could be improved. A range of lending programs similar to those operated by housing authorities elsewhere in Australia could be a result.
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