Media Release
15 September 2008
BUILDERS WELCOME HOUSING
AFFORDABILITY FUND
Statement by Wilhelm Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer
The launch of the Government’s Housing Affordability Fund (HAF) is an important and vital first step in
tackling the systemic supply problems facing home buyers, according to Master Builders Australia, the
peak body for the building and construction industry.
Wilhelm Harnisch, CEO of Master Builders Australia said: “The HAF is a welcome return of the
Commonwealth into this vital part of the Australian social fabric and the economy. There has been a
decade of policy neglect in addressing the supply side barriers and the HAF is supported by industry
as a first and vital step in redressing this area of policy neglect.
“The lack of housing affordability remains a major challenge despite the recent reduction in interest
rates.
“Dealing with delays in state and local government planning processes and increasing demand for
community infrastructure are the essential keys to solving Australia’s systemic underlying housing
affordability challenges.
Master Builders particularly welcomes the $30 million HAF allocation to fast track the national roll out
of an electronic development assistance (eDA) system. This is something that the industry has
agitated about for at least five years and should prove to be a major technological step forward in
streamlining development approvals.
Master Builders also welcomes the HAF guidelines which will see funding going to projects based on
merit and need rather than equally distributed amongst states and local governments. This should
ensure that tax payer’s dollars are targeted to areas of immediate and urgent need.
Master Builders, in its submission to the establishment of the HAF, called for a holistic approach to
ensure that funding only goes to best practice projects that can be adapted and adopted in the future
so that the targeted $10,000 cost savings can be passed on to all future home buyers.
To maximise benefits it is critical that lessons learned from HAF funded projects form the basis for
future policy action, particularly in areas such as the development of appropriate funding mechanisms
by state and local governments for community facilities that are consistent with ensuring housing
affordability remains an achievable goal.
For further information contact: Wilhelm Harnisch
Mobile: 0402 039 039
NEWS 
