National’s Housing Sideshow

“It’s sad that the National Government has taken the bait offered by its opponents and allowed itself to be distracted by sideshows over the issue of housing affordability,” says Affordable Auckland Mayoral candidate Stephen Berry. “Releasing a list of foreign home buyers will assist Winston Peter’s racist scapegoating but it won’t do a thing to help low income families struggling with high rents.”

Having a list of foreign buyers is a by-product of National’s decision to place a tax on the capital gains made on residential property that is re-sold within two years. “Essentially it is cosmetic window-washing that will make absolutely zero impact on house prices.” Mr Berry says “people who sell a property they have purchased with the intent of re-selling are already liable to pay tax on the profit. Essentially National has re-passed a law which already exists and is therefore completely pointless.

“The one thing different is the extra layer of compliance for investors. It’s a cost they don’t absorb.”

“If the Government wanted to make an impact on house prices it would attempt the changes to the Resource Management planned before the Northland by-election. Instead it meekly adopts the ignorance of its anti-development opponents while low income Aucklanders paying half their incomes in rent still struggle to feed their children.”

Stephen Berry believes the fifth National Government has become something of a disappointment.
“While in opposition it attacked the policies of the Labour government. When voted in it kept and then strengthened those polices. Now into its third term, it adopts the policies of a future Labour government.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media