NO.067

COMMONWEALTH INQUIRY INTO FIRST HOME OWNERSHIP

The Commonwealth Government has asked the Productivity Commission to inquire

into the affordability and availability of housing for families and individuals

wishing to purchase their first home.

The Commonwealth Government appreciates that home ownership is highly valued

by Australian families and individuals. The ability to achieve home ownership

continues to be of vital importance in maintaining family and social stability.

The Government recognises that Australians who are established home owners

have invested a very significant proportion of their finances in their home.

The family home is the most significant asset that most people ever acquire

in their lifetimes and represents around two-thirds of all household wealth

in this country. While existing home owners have benefited very significantly

from the appreciation of house values, this has made getting into the market

more expensive for would-be buyers.

It is with this in mind that the Government has asked the Productivity Commission

to evaluate all components of the cost and price of housing, including new and

existing housing for those wishing to purchase their first home.

Importantly, the Commission will examine impediments to first home ownership,

and provide assessments on the feasibility of reducing or removing impediments.

The State and Territory Governments have a significant responsibility in relation

to the costs of purchasing a home, given the impact of their decisions in such

areas as the level of stamp duties and the release of land for new housing.

The responsibilities, policies and practices of all levels of government as

well as the private sector will be considered by this Productivity Commission

inquiry.

The Commonwealth has made a very significant contribution to affordability

for first home buyers through the First Home Owners Grant Scheme which has now

assisted 482,000 since its inception in July 2000, and we remain committed to

continuing to assist families and individuals with this policy.

Under the Coalition policy, since 1996 there has been a period of sustained

economic prosperity with rising real incomes, lower unemployment and home loan

interest rates at around historical lows. Lower interest rates, as well as greater

competition in lending markets, has reduced the cost of borrowing for many Australians

and significantly increased the ability of people to buy a home.

In continuing to support the goal of home ownership, we believe it is important

to comprehensively evaluate all of the key factors affecting the attainment

of first home ownership, in order to help identify ways to ensure that Australians

continue to have the best possible opportunity to achieve home ownership into

the future.

The Productivity Commission has been asked to report back to the Government

by 31 March 2004. The terms of reference are attached.

2 August 2003

CANBERRA

Contact: David Alexander

02 6277 7340

INQUIRY INTO FIRST HOME OWNERSHIP

PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION ACT 1998

I, PETER COSTELLO, Treasurer, pursuant to Parts 2 and 3 of the Productivity

Commission Act 1998, request that the Productivity Commission undertake an inquiry

to evaluate the affordability and availability of housing for first home buyers.

Recognising that home ownership is very highly valued by families and individuals,

and is central to social and family stability, for the purposes of this evaluation

the Commission should:

• Identify and analyse all components of the cost and price of housing, including

  new and existing housing for those endeavouring to become first home owners;

• Identify mechanisms to improve the efficiency of the supply of housing

  and associated infrastructure; and

• Identify any impediments to first home ownership, and assess the feasibility

  and implications of reducing or removing such impediments.

Particular attention should be given to the following matters as they affect

the cost and availability of residential land and housing in both metropolitan

and rural areas:

1. the identification, release and development of land and the provision of

   basic related infrastructure;

2. the efficiency and transparency of different planning and approval processes

   for residential land;

3. the efficiency and transparency of taxes, levies and charges imposed at

   all stages of the housing supply chain;

4. the efficiency, structure and role of the land development industry and

   its relationship with the dwelling construction industry and how this may

   be affected by government regulations;

5. the effect of standards, specifications, approval and title requirements

   on costs and choice in new dwelling construction; and

6. the operation of the total housing market, with specific reference to the

   availability of a range of public and private housing types, the demand for

   housing, and the efficiency of use of the existing residential housing stock.

The inquiry will also identify and examine mechanisms available to improve

the ability of households, particularly low income households, to benefit from

owner-occupied housing. This will include an assessment of rent and direct ownership

subsidies, loan guarantees and shared equity initiatives.

In undertaking the inquiry, the Commission is to invite public submissions,

consult with key interest groups and affected parties, issue a draft report,

and produce a final report of its findings by 31 March 2004.

PETER COSTELLO