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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 1436 asked in the Legislative Council on 26 November 2019 by Hon Dr Steve Thomas

Parliament: 40 Session: 1

STATE ECONOMY — STAMP DUTY REBATE

1436. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the Treasurer:

I refer to the article entitled ''Stamp duty relief could 'backfire on unit sector''' in the business section of The West Australian of 26 November 2019.

(1) Did the government or the Treasurer receive a letter from the construction lobby, including the Property Council of Australia, the Urban Development Institute of Australia, the Master Builders Association or the Housing Industry Association, in November raising concerns about the impacts of the government's policy to provide rebates in stamp duty of up to 75 per cent for off-the-plan apartments purchased before construction begins?

(2) If yes to (1), will the minister please table a copy of the letter?

(3) If no to (2), why not?

(4) Has there been any reduction in sales of existing newly constructed apartments with the government's new measure driving purchasers to off-the-plan purchases instead, and how is the government monitoring this?

(5) Why would a prospective purchaser now buy a completed apartment in a multistorey development when they can get a rebate worth up to $50 000 by purchasing off the plan?

(6) How many unsold already constructed apartments in multistorey buildings are there on the market in Perth currently?

Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied:

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer is provided on behalf of the Treasurer.

(1)–(3) The Treasurer has not seen the letter referred to in the honourable member's question.

(4)–(6) What the government is monitoring is the number of Western Australians with a job. That is the primary focus of this government and of this policy. So far, the McGowan government has created 56 000 jobs since it came to office, while in the last term of the Liberal–National government, there was a net loss in jobs. In this context, the government does not apologise for its focus on creating jobs for hardworking Western Australian families.