New ACT
Legislative Assembly member, minister and Labor rising star Andrew Barr used his maiden speech yesterday to remind people that there’s more to housing
access than interest rates.

The young
Member for Mongolo attacked the Federal Government’s tax concessions to home
owners.
Barr claims capital gains and land tax policies are making it harder for young
Australians to get into the housing market – that baby boomers are receiving
preferential treatment.

“The
exemptions for home owners from capital gains and land taxes need to be looked
at because they are damaging affordability,” he said.

“These tax exemptions undoubtedly favour the majority of homeowners,
especially those who are older or wealthier, but in my view they are pricing
young people out of the market.”