With the Federal Election tomorrow, and housing being off the radar of the major parties, I want to run through some of the minor parties’ housing policies. As I am sure to miss some detail, feel free to add any additions in the comments field below.
Family First:
As outlined late last month, the Family First party’s housing policy is centred on freeing-up land supply and streamlining planning approval processes. It is my favourite housing policy at this election, but could be improved with a commitment to wind-back negative gearing and removing stamp duties in favour of a broad-based land tax. The key elements of Family First’s housing policy are:
To fix the [housing affordability] problem for good and ensure that future generations do not suffer the same fate, Family First proposes five key policy initiatives:
1) Where they have been applied, urban growth boundaries or zoning restrictions on the urban fringes of our cities need to be removed. Residential development on the urban fringe needs to be made a “permitted use.” In other words, there should be no zoning restrictions in turning rural fringe land into residential land.
2) Small players need to be encouraged back into the market by abolishing compulsory ‘Master Planning.’ If large developers wish to initiate Master Planned Communities, that’s fine, but don’t make them compulsory.
3) Allow the development of basic serviced allotments ie water, sewer, electricity, stormwater, bitumen road, street lighting and street signage. Additional services and amenities (lakes, entrance walls, childcare centres, bike trails, etc can be optional extras if the developer wishes to provide them and the buyers are willing to pay for them).
4) Privatise planning approvals. Any qualified Town Planner should be able to certify that a development application complies with a Local Government’s Development Plan.
5) No up-front infrastructure charges. All services should be allowed to be paid for through the rates system ie pay ‘as’ you use , not ‘before’ you use.
Given the vast social and economic benefits that flow from homeownership, Family First believes restoring housing affordability should once again become one of our nation’s most important priorities.
The Australian Greens:
The Australian Greens housing policy is essentially aimed at:
- Increasing inner-urban density;
- Increasing the public housing stock;
- Requiring developers to set aside 20% of homes for affordable and public housing; and
- Sustainability in design of housing.
Personally, I am no fan of the Greens’ housing policy, which seems intent on further restricting the urban footprint in the face of the growing population, which would effectively hand a free kick to land bankers and rent seekers, and act to push-up land prices.
The Australian Democrats:
The Democrats also have a good housing policy, which includes comprehensive reform to property taxation as well as greater public provision of housing. Included in the policy are the following:
1) We will ensure land taxes are extended to certain owner-occupier properties at the top end of the market and reduced for multiple investments in low cost rental housing.
2) We will work towards the abolition of stamp duty on homes that are bought as a principal place of residence.
3) We will legislate so that there is increased funding for public and community housing of an adequate standard, and that this funding is indexed and cannot be used for any other purpose.
4) We will work to ensure that the Commonwealth and States governments support investment in affordable rental housing through a variety of taxation and other incentives.
5) Support the use of independent organisations to provide low cost land and housing infrastructure, and to encourage innovative planning to meet community needs.
For what it is worth, I will be voting for David Collyer, who is running for a Victorian Senate seat under the Democrats banner.
