TIME FOR CANBERRANS TO SAY GOODBYE TO THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN DREAM

The dream of home ownership for young Canberrans is crumbling as new data released today shows that rental affordability has declined once again in the ACT.

Information released today by RP Data shows that the cost of renting in Canberra is the second highest in the country, $130 per week more than the national average. Average rent in the ACT for a house is $480 per week and $410 for a unit.

“This 4% jump in rents is yet another indication that Canberra has fallen by the wayside under Labor,” ACT Liberal Senator Gary Humphries who doubles as the Federal Opposition’s housing spokesman said today.

“While housing affordability has gone out the door, the unending rise in rents pushes the means to save for a house deposit further and further away.

“As a father, this really worries me. My kids are going to find it much harder to put together a deposit than I ever did.

“We need real local solutions to fix the crisis that has developed to ensure that the great Australian dream doesn’t slip out of reach of young Canberrans.

“Federal Labor has thrown money at the symptoms of housing unaffordability instead of attacking the causes.

“Jon Stanhope locally has gone out of his way to preside over policies that have pushed up house prices.

“From a great big new tax on home and apartment buyers to sluggish land release rates, Jon Stanhope and Labor are the problem and Federal Labor refuses to confront the anti-affordability policies of Jon Stanhope and his Labor mates in the states.

“The only way to fix housing affordability is to focus on real local solutions and to change the Government.

“Only a Coalition Government will focus on making housing more affordable, ” Senator Humphries concluded.

8 July 2010