Page 610 - Week 02 - Thursday, 20 February 2020
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over the counter is hardly a tightening squeeze by the government on land sales in the ACT.
MR PARTON: Supplementary question, Madam Speaker. Minister, to what extent has the government’s squeeze on land supply, and the resultant high prices for land, contributed to rising demand and prices for established houses and units?
MS BERRY: I do not agree with the presumptions that Mr Parton has made in his question. It is the case that sales and purchase of homes are driven by the market. This is something that the Canberra Liberals should be very well aware of.
Opposition members interjecting—
MS BERRY: They are the ones who are constantly against any kind of interference by the government, constantly against any kind of interference in the market for the sale of homes or land in the ACT.
Opposition members interjecting—
MS BERRY: The moment the government started talking about any kind of interference in the price of land, the Canberra Liberals were always the ones in the past to arc up on it. Now they are suggesting that it should be the opposite case, that the government should interfere in the market and hold back other developers in this town and people who have already purchased land.
Opposition members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Members will please come to order. The minister will resume her seat. I ask that all members remain silent. Minister, you have 50 seconds left for your answer. Do you have anything to add?
MS BERRY: It is public land, which needs to be managed carefully. It will not be there forever and it needs to be managed carefully for future generations to be able to build in and grow this city.
MR COE: Minister, with reference to the blocks in Throsby, when did they first come on the market, that is, for how long have they been on the shelf at $1,100 a square metre?
MS BERRY: If I can correct and clarify the prices of land, the median price of blocks available for sale is at $425,000 for a block of 561 metres square. So to suggest that all blocks for sale are at the price that Mr Coe has suggested is incorrect. I do not have the detail as to how long those blocks have been on the market, but I can get that information and provide it to the Assembly.
Arts—summer events
MR PETTERSSON: My question is to the Minister for the Arts, Creative Industries and Cultural Events. Can the minister please provide the Assembly with a summary of the various events that the ACT government funded over the summer months.
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