Northern Territory Buildstart Scheme Questioned

Today's announcement by the Government of a $14,000 Buildstart grant raises a number of questions about the Chief Minister's efforts so far to ease the Territory's housing crisis.

"Paul Henderson's fiddled, while home-seekers across the Territory have burned," says Shadow Housing Minister Kezia Purick.

"Bellamack is almost a year overdue and still there is no sign on the ground of this long-overdue, much-needed housing development.

"The extent of the Territory's housing shortage has been known for years yet only now has the Chief Minister and his inert Government decided to act.

"Last week, he dismissed the crisis confronting Territorians struggling to make ends meet merely as growing pains. This offensive appraisal shows just how out of touch the Chief Minister is.

"Territorians need to know how much this initiative will cost taxpayers, and whether subsidising wealthy investors is the best way to spend taxpayers' money? Will the people renting these properties also receive a subsidy?

"The Opposition has called for a fundamental overhaul of HomeNorth, in particular the extension of joint equity arrangements.

"Without the extension of joint equity arrangements HomeNorth will be officially dead.

"Despite several attempts at resuscitation, HomeNorth has been unable to keep pace with property prices.

"It's telling too that this Government's so bereft of new ideas that today's announcement comes just weeks after the Commonwealth's $21,000 housing construction stimulus.

"While the Opposition supports new initiatives to increase the Territory's housing stocks, the jury's very much out on whether Buildstart is the way to do it."

2008-10-27