10 January 2005
Leave Housing Market Alone
Keith Patterson, Libertarianz Housing Deregulation Spokesman, urges Labour not to engage in its housing assistance
scheme for first time home buyers. Patterson says, "This trendy, populist new assistance project is not only a moral
disgrace, but will also result in a massive warping of the housing market."
"Housing New Zealand plans to redistribute taxpayer funds towards up to 10,000 families, funds that belong to those who
have acquired property through their own efforts and funded their own decisions in life," says Patterson. "I cannot deny
that it is getting more difficult to break into the Auckland housing market at this time. However, there is no
justification for making a claim to my own possessions simply because someone else has chosen to participate within the
market and is woefully financially endowed."
Libertarianz advocates removing all government controls and assistance in any market, including the accomodation
supplement which Libertarianz suggest is helping to create a bubble in the market by falsely inflating rental returns.
"The role of government is protection of property rights, not funding property purchases or subsidising landlords," says
Patterson. In addition, Libertarianz will privatise the state housing system and ensure that those who do buy or rent do
so through free-market processes.
ENDS