As you’d be aware, the WA Labor Party were elected to government on Saturday. REIWA congratulates Mark McGowan and his party on their election victory, and welcomes the opportunity to work with them on the housing issues affecting West Australians.
Moving forward, it is important WA’s new government looks at ways to address the issue of housing affordability.
Specifically, we ask Labor to recognise the barrier state property taxes, like transfer duty and land tax aggregation rules, have on the buying and investing decisions of the WA public, and commit to finding more sustainable state revenue sources.
In the lead up to the election, we campaigned for four key policy reforms:
As part of our campaign, we surveyed WA property seekers about the impact state property taxes have on their lives, and 90 per cent of respondents said these taxes were a barrier to them owning or investing in property.
We understand the tough fiscal position facing the new government, however our scenario analysis shows the reforms we have proposed, in particular the transfer duty exemption for seniors looking to “right size”, have the potential to positively impact the state budget.
We will continue to advocate for you, our members and the WA public on key housing concerns, and we welcome the opportunity to discuss these issues with the new McGowan Government.
Yours sincerely
Neville Pozzi and The REIWA Team
Most mornings, we ride our bikes along the Yacht club beach, the Esplanade and sometimes further down the foreshore and it really is a great way to take in some of the best of what we have. Usually there is next to no breeze and even though it is very peaceful, there is also plenty of activity.
The Port has always got something happening and may times you catch the larger boats going in and out from the viewing platform, trains droppings grain and ore and sometime during my walk you are lucky to encounter lucky locals going out for a day’s fishing, people walking, exercise groups on the beach or foreshore, kayakers, swimmers close and on their way out, owners and dogs going for a dip, local shops and businesses getting early supplies, very keen bike riders and sometimes the odd Dolphin or Seal makes an appearance.
Sometimes we miss the best things about Geraldton and they are right here in front of us and cost little more than your time. So go and enjoy.