Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

In referring to this household stimulus package, I want to follow up with the government about questions I put yesterday. I understand that the amendment is in relation to how we are going to raise money to pay for some of these measures. In that context, I want to make sure that the measures are most effective. Yesterday I put to the minister the issue of the percentage of new housing—as opposed to pre-existing housing—that may be purchased under the infrastructure program, recognising that this is a stimulus package for builders, builders labourers, the trades and associated businesses. If you purchase pre-existing housing, you do not have stimulus. You are, in fact, bailing out quite a few developers and banks along the way; it becomes a bailout package as opposed to a stimulus package. I understand that my colleague Senator Siewert pursued some of this yesterday after I had done so. My understanding, through you, Madam Temporary Chair, is that the government has said that some of the money from the $6.6 billion housing package will go to pre-existing housing, but the government has made it clear that its focus is on new housing in order to stimulate the economy. I also understand that there may be some homes where building has commenced but not finished that might be included in the package.

The government also talked about regulations that might be developed pertaining to how this money for stimulating the building industry might be allocated. I would like greater clarification from the minister about whether they have designated a percentage of the money to be used for pre-existing, already built, completed houses that are sitting there. They could well be spec houses that are sitting there. What percentage of the money will be allocated for housing for which construction may have begun but not finished? What percentage of that $6.6 billion housing infrastructure package are they assuming will be for construction of new housing? I would really like to know that. I would also like to nail down the issue of the regulations. Through you, Madam Temporary Chair, when do the government expect the regulations to be written and completed? Will these issues that I am referring to be made very specific regarding how the states can allocate the money? I would really appreciate the government being more specific. If we are raising all of this money, we want to make sure that we get the maximum stimulus into the building sector that we possibly can.