Helping hand for first homebuyers in sunshine state

Helping hand for first homebuyers in sunshine stateThe Queensland Government’s decision to maintain the $15,000 first home owner construction grant keeps the door open for first homebuyers in Queensland and provides a boost for the state economy.Queensland Treasurer Curtis Pitt has confirmed that there will be no changes to the first homeowner construction payment, the Great Start Grant, in the upcoming budget on 14 July.The Property Council’s Queensland executive director Chris Mountford has applauded the decision, saying the activity that will flow from the announcement will support the Palaszczuk Government’s election commitments to expand the economy and create jobs.”Every dollar that will be spent building these new dwellings in Queensland delivers a significant and far-reaching multiplier effect throughout the community, particularly in terms of jobs, retail spending and taxation revenue,” Mountford explains.The property industry in Queensland accounts for 12.1 per cent of the Queensland workforce. The Treasurer has also indicated an openness to engage in the national tax reform discussions, and Mountford says the government’s commitment to no new or increased, taxes fees and charges during this term of government “lays a solid platform for this reform conversation to occur over the coming months”.”Ultimately to make housing more affordable we need to embark on far reaching reform journey, including the abolishment of unproductive taxes like stamp duty and increasing the supply of housing by undertaking planning reform,” Mountford adds.