REGIONAL Australians would be allocated 30 per cent of a $5 billion funding promise as part of the Coalition’s home-building plan to unlock new homes in regional, rural and remote Australia.
Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster confirmed that if the Coalition wins the next federal election, an ambitious target would be set for 30 per cent of the Housing Infrastructure Programme to be spent in the regions, benefiting areas such as Gannawarra, Goldfields, Mallee, Sunraysia and the Wimmera.
“Under Labor, Australia is facing a housing crisis and the great Australian dream of owning a home has never felt further out of reach,” Dr Webster said.
“One of the major impediments to new housing projects is the lack of funding for critical enabling infrastructure.
“The Coalition will invest in shovel-ready infrastructure through our new Housing Infrastructure Programme.
“Funding will enable infrastructure such as water, power, sewerage and access roads, and on a time-limited basis to give councils the incentive they need.
“An elected Coalition government’s $5 billion investment will get housing projects moving, unlocking up to 500,000 homes across Australia, and we want a fair share of that funding in regional Australia.”
Dr Webster also said an elected Coalition government would free up more than 100,000 homes by reducing migration numbers, putting a two-year ban on foreign investors and temporary residents purchasing existing homes, working with the building and construction industry, and bringing in people on skilled visas to support local tradies.
She also said tackling union corruption that had contributed to driving up the costs of building by 30 per cent, and freezing further changes to the National Construction Code to ease red tape and compliance burdens for builders, were part of the Coalition’s plans.
The next election is due to be held by May.
