Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto has taken up the fight with REIQ for first home buyers living in smaller regional centres today in Parliament.

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto has taken up the fight with REIQ for first home buyers living in smaller regional centres today in Parliament.

Currently the State Government first home owner’s grant of $20,000 only applies to new houses and not to existing houses, disadvantaging younger people wanting to remain in smaller centres.

“The first home owners grant is a good scheme with initial intentions to invigorate the building industry and alleviate the strain on first home buyers, however it inadvertently discriminates against first home buyer’s living in smaller regional centres,” said Mr Dametto.

“These centres are different to metro areas. Economies are flat, limited or no housing developments are occurring and there is already a surplus of existing affordable housing.”

“The REIQ have been fighting for this change for quite some time. I asked the Deputy Premier in parliament today about reviewing the current policy and was given the assurance that the policy will be looked at. I will be following this up as I firmly believe this will assist smaller communities throughout the state retain young families, which in turn grows these communities.”

REIQ Regional Zone Chairman Wayne Nicholson has supported Mr Dametto, saying he and other regional counterparts have also called for changes to the unbalanced current scheme.

“Regional centres have ample supply of good affordable existing homes which are ideal for first home buyers and opening up the scheme to allow the grant to apply to first home buyers, purchasing existing homes in regional centres, would drive sales, which in turn would allow the sellers to upscale and so the cycle moves forward,” he said.

“To grow a tree you have to plant a seed at ground level.”

Dametto said,

“Instead of spending time in parliament arguing over irrelevant issues, the KAP would rather concentrate on those issues that benefit regional communities.”