Budget Fails Territory Families

The Martin Government has failed to deliver any substantial relief for Territory families in its fifth budget, says the Opposition.

"From the sharp increases in the price of power and water, to the very modest reductions in stamp duty for first home buyers and the absence of any initiative on the price of fuel, the Martin Government has failed Territory families,” says Jodeen Carney, Leader of the Opposition.

"The Government's housing initiative is a poor cousin of the Opposition's $100,000 discount on housing blocks for first home buyers.

"The best the Martin Government can offer a first home buyer is an extra $7,000 of stamp duty relief this financial year, provided they are willing to spend at least $350,000 on their first home.

"The Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show the average cost of a home loan for a first home buyer in the Territory jumped from $183,100 in January 2006 to $207,300 in January 2007.

"Within the space of a just one year the average size of the loan first home buyers are taking out has jumped by $24,200, more than 3 times the Treasurer's additional stamp duty concession.

"Tinkering at the edges isn't going to overcome the huge problems first home buyers now face getting into the market.

"I'm pleased to see the Martin Government investing $180 million in building and maintaining the Territory's road system: our roads are the economic backbone of the Territory.

"Unfortunately the Government is clueless about how to reduce the impact of the price of fuel for Territory motorists. Our LPG conversion imitative is the type of innovative policy needed to lend families a helping hand in a fiscally responsible manner.

"I'm also very disappointed in the lack of a specific commitment to improving the law and order situation in Alice Springs. A little over a week ago the Government got a first hand understanding of the situation in Alice but today there's no mention of a budget allocation to address the situation. The families of Alice were expecting more.”

"The Government has failed to give back the GST windfall to the people who provided it – ordinary Territorian taxpayers.”

2007-05-01