Hon David Carter
National Party Housing Spokesman

22 August 2005

Desperate Labour U-turns on housing

Labour is displaying its desperation by announcing today that it will provide more help for first-time homebuyers, says National's Housing Spokesman, David Carter.

Housing Minister Steve Maharey announced that Labour will develop a scheme whereby Housing New Zealand will give 'modest' income families a contribution towards buying a home. This money would have to be repaid if the house was sold or refinanced.

"Mr Maharey's scheme sounds very similar to the Home Buy scheme brought in by the last National Government," says Mr Carter.

"A month ago National announced the scheme would be re-introduced by a National Government. Mr Maharey said then it was a 'failed policy'.

"Less than a month later he is advocating a similar scheme. This is nothing more than another U-turn by this desperate Labour Party.

"Where is the information? Where are the facts about who qualifies, how much will be loaned or how much it will cost?

"They simply aren't there. Labour has thrown this policy together in pure desperation.

"This is a panic tactic by a floundering Labour Party that will stop at nothing to be re-elected - even if it means adopting National's policies," says Mr Carter.

ENDS

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