The recent announcement of the Federal Budget included some amendments to the Home Guarantee Scheme, and other policies were announced affecting homebuyers and homeowners, however according to Katter’s Australian Party Leader and Traeger MP Robbie Katter the net still needs to be cast wider.

Having called for the same in previous years, Robbie Katter is renewing his call for the first home buyers grant to be applicable to existing homes, including those that are not brand new or newly renovated, outside of metropolitan areas.

“The government are constantly forking out money to build new houses to combat the current housing crisis”, said Mr Katter.

“For a fraction of the cost of constructing a new home, money could be put towards potential homeowners, giving them the ability to renovate a home and make it suitable to live in.

“A strategy such as this takes heat off the housing issues and delivers an opportunity to potential homeowners, not only in the city areas, but now for the first time expanding into rural and remote areas.

Mr Katter advised that on the other hand we are seeing a decline in population in some of our rural towns.

“Take the town of Hughenden for example”, said Mr Katter.

“In the 1970’s the population was nearing 2,000 people.

“These days it sits at around 1,000 people.

“This isn’t because there is nowhere to live, there are many vacant houses within these towns.

“Most not up to todays standards, however.

“To put it simply, no one wants to live in old, run down homes anymore.

“Offering up a first homeowners grant to someone looking to buy an older home will equip them with funds to complete the much-needed renovations that otherwise would not be done.

“Renovations that make these houses far more appealing and liveable.

Mr Katter outlined that the cost of construction in rural areas surpasses that of the cities, making anyone wanting to purchase a home and renovate in those areas think twice before doing so.

“Our rural towns have a lot to offer, but often luxurious, newly built, or renovated homes are not one of those things.

“Offering the first homeowners grant to include older homes with the potential for renovation will allow many people looking to buy to see these homes in a new light”, said Mr Katter.

“We need to be doing everything we can to attract people to these small towns that are crying out for educators, healthcare workers, tradesmen, and the likes.

“Giving people the ability to buy a home they know they can turn into a long-term investment is a good start.