Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 10 November 2011:

With reference to the answer to question no. AET 157, taken on notice during the 2010-11 additional estimates hearings of the Economics Legislation Committee, which stated that 5.8 full-time equivalents within the department are working on housing affordability:

(1)   To what extent are taxation issues relating to housing included in the work or analysis of these staff.

(2)   Can a detailed outline be provided of the work of these staff relating to 'identifying currently underutilised land'.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Treasurer has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

The Treasury considers a comprehensive range of housing and housing related issues. These have included taxation issues from time to time.

Issues relating to underutilised land also arise. The main area of activity however relates to work lead by the Department of Finance and Deregulation as part of the Commonwealth Land Audit which identifies underutilised Commonwealth land.