As the federal election draws nearer, the industry bodies are letting both sides of politics know what they are looking for. 

The HIA have laid out a comprehensive set of imperatives for both side of politics on their website.

HIA Managing Director, Jocelyn Martin said a well housed population is more productive, cohesive and healthy.

“The latest home ownership rates report record lows of 61.4 per cent with many Australians not seeing themselves ever realising their home ownership dream,” Ms Martin said.

“The delivery of housing in all forms, across our cities and in our regions must be a priority.”

The HIA called on the next federal government to make housing across our cities and regions a national priority through 3 main areas: 

• Addressing the chronic skills shortages in the industry;
• Removing the barriers to the supply of housing; and
• Establishing financial settings that encourage home ownership.

Looking at each of these in detail: 

1. Addressing Skills Shortages

The HIA is seeking the following from the federal parties when it comes to skill shortages: 

• Build our domestic workforce through long term financial support to employers and apprentices.

• Reform the skilled migration system to supplement the domestic workforce. There must be major reforms to current construction trade visa categories coupled with exploring innovative pathways to support skilled migrants.

• Promote trades as a career with targeted programs across school leavers, the mature aged, women and those of diverse backgrounds.

• Target the retention of apprentices through industry based mentoring programs.

• Ensure the construction industry is an industry of choice.

2. Removing the Barriers to Supply

When it comes to supply the HIA is advocating the major parties to: 

• Unlock land supply through planning reforms including the harmonisation of planning systems, and bringing in a National Planning Summit with all levels of government. 
• Reduce tax on housing. Housing is the second most heavily taxed sector of the economy and this is a key barrier to the supply of housing. This pillar includes removing GST on Construction. 
• Cut the red, white and green tape that drives up housing costs. 
• Improve housing data to make meaningful and well-informed decisions about housing supply.
•  Deliver the infrastructure needed to get land ‘shovel ready’ faster. 
• Focus on housing the regions which are home to more than 8.5 million people and growing. 
• Encourage innovation across the construction industry. 
• Support the construction industry and building product manufacturing sector drive the transition towards net zero.

3. Establish Financial Settings that encourage home ownership

Finally, the HIA are asking the parties to: 

• Remove the restrictions on lending that have reduced competition among banks and often limits lending only to those that already own a home.
• Focus on a regulatory approach that encourages the financial system to support the needs of the Australian people, particularly first home buyers. 
• Offer flexible financial arrangements that serve the needs of both home buyers and home builders. 
• Emphasise the part our financial institutions play to support borrowers, business and improve the housing crisis.

National Director Jocelyn Martin said home ownership is the bricks and mortar that has helped Australia build a stable and vibrant society.

“Home ownership remains one of the most important aspirations for all Australians.”

“It is critical that an incoming federal government recognises this and implements meaningful policies that enable all Australians to build and own their own home.

“Australia needs to maintain housing supply at around 240,000 new dwellings per annum, year on year to meet demand and put downward pressures on affordability.

 “Yet right now the policy and economic environment is acting as a hand brake on our industry resulting in only 170,000 new homes being delivered.

 “HIA calls on all sides of politics to commit to pulling out all stops and implement genuine policy reforms to support the delivery of appropriate housing to meet Australia’s growing population.

 “Our industry is weighed down by increasing taxes and regulations, skills shortages, uncertainty in policy making and rising costs.

“These all contribute to making housing less affordable to rent or buy and driving up construction costs and hurting industry productivity.”

TGB Take

This is a detailed and comprehensive advocacy approach by the HIA and captures much of the issues they have been raising over the past 12 – 24 months. 

The issue with a lot of the advocacy around election time can be broad, sweeping statements with no concrete action to take to solve the problem. 

The new addition to the HIA website does provide tangible, specific actions the government can take to achieve each of the three goals they have outlined. 

It’s one of the best pieces of advocacy we’ve seen at this level.

Author: The Good Builder

The Good Builder is a media platform that provides news and insights for Australia’s home building industry. From exclusive stories and curated insights to bold industry perspectives, we deliver the news and updates that keep builders, suppliers, and the entire home building industry inspired and ahead of the curve.