Build-To-Rent Housing

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-115519

Hansard session: Fifty-Seventh Parliament, First Session (57-1)

Build-To-Rent Housing

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (14:49:33):

My question is addressed to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces. Will the Minister update the House on the Government's build-to-rent scheme and how that has created jobs?

The SPEAKER:

I call the member for Blue Mountains to order for the second time. I call the health Minister to order for the first time.

An Opposition member interjected

[.]

Mr ROB STOKES (PittwaterMinister for Planning and Public Spaces) (14:49:56):

— We can talk about surfing later, but at least let me say something mildly relevant before we get there. Firstly, I thank the member for Oatley for his question and for his advocacy for better housing options for his community. I recognise that he has done a great job in advocating for the tremendous Gannons Park. He recognises that building and planning a great city is as much about parks as it is about homes. The question was specifically about homes. Housing policy and the need to provide homes for a growing city has always been a vexed issue in public policy and has interested members from all parts of the House. Many of those debates have focused on housing type—on whether we build more apartments, more detached homes or something in the middle.

That is an important debate, but the other debate that is equally important relates to how security of tenancy is provided. It is not just about the type of housing but also about the tenure of ownership of that house. That is why build to rent is an incredible initiative that can provide great options for tenants and also for the provision of more jobs for the construction industry. I congratulate the Treasurer, who I acknowledge the Speaker has put on a call to order already, on his great work in removing some of the land tax impediments for investment in build‑to‑rent housing. Also, in the planning system we have collaboratively removed some of the barriers that militate against provision of build-to-rent housing. For tenants it provides greater security of tenancy over a longer period and it also provides—

The SPEAKER:

The Clerk will stop the clock. I call the member for Canterbury to order for the third time. The member has continued to talk throughout all of those responses. The member will be quiet.

Mr ROB STOKES:

It has real importance for people in the member for Canterbury's electorate as well because what we are seeking to do is to provide more choice—

The SPEAKER:

The member for Canterbury will leave the Chamber overnight, right now.

Ms Sophie Cotsis:

Drats! More housing in Palm Beach.

The SPEAKER:

I warn the member for Canterbury to watch herself or she will be named.

The member for Canterbury left the Chamber at 14:52 accompanied by the Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms

[.]

Mr ROB STOKES:

Watch yourselves; you'll all be next. Build to rent provides not only greater certainty of tenure for residents but also greater choice in terms of all sorts of things that could be offered by the management of those facilities, including childcare, opportunities to work from home or even local transport options. Schemes like those have been working in the UK for about a decade. In our sector it is now worth more than $18 billion in that jurisdiction. We know that in New South Wales build to rent has the capacity to produce about 19,000 jobs over the next few years. I acknowledge that members opposite do not seem to be interested in housing.

Ms Yasmin Catley:

I have been watching very attentively.

Mr ROB STOKES:

Thank you very much. The member for Swansea is interested in housing. I note the interjection earlier that was made in relation to surfing, which is related to housing and which is a matter that is dear to my heart. I note the conditions—

Mr Clayton Barr:

This will be a long bow.

Mr ROB STOKES:

No, it is relevant, because the conditions opposite are changing and the debate is shifting; it is moving more onshore and the conditions are emerging for something of a political pro‑am over there—yes, it's coming! I may be goofy in the water but the Leader of the Opposition is goofy on land. She may be backed by the member for Swansea, the Gidget of Gwendolyn—

Opposition members interjected

[.]

I do not know where the member for Kogarah is—the Kelly Slater of Kogarah. In surfing parlance, he is a natural; he enjoys an aggressive right-hander wave. Hanging five or 10 out the back is the Bra Boy himself—

Mr Michael Daley:

Want to see my tatts? I'll show you my tatts if you show us your abs.

Mr ROB STOKES:

He has declared it himself. The member for Maroubra is a human post pack; tattooed on his chest are the digits 2035. While the caucus members engage themselves in their kombi of collectivism on their surfing world tour towards the inevitable wipe‑out, members on this side of the House will focus on great initiatives like build to rent.