The Federal Government's HomeBuilder scheme, announced on Wednesday, has drawn scathing criticism from Goulburn's Labor Party president, as well as a number of potential renovators in the community.
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The scheme offers $25,000 to major renovations that cost between $150,000 and $750,000, and the same amount to new builds up to $750,000.
"The HomeBuilder Scheme is a senseless handout to those who can afford to build a new home up to $750,000 or make a $150,000 renovation," said Goulburn Labor president Jason Shepherd.
"Anyone who can do this in the current economic climate does not need tax payer handouts."
He accused the government of forcing ordinary taxpayers, some of whom have lost their jobs or taken pay cuts, to donate money to wealthy Australians to increase their property's value, in the hope some money will trickle down into the pocket of tradies.
Lana Gardiner agrees.
The Range Road resident was hopeful when she heard about the scheme that it could help her renovate a small home she owns in Goulburn, in which her son and his family live.
"We've been getting quotes to add another bedroom and living area, as it's only a two-bedroom house and there's five of them," she said.
"The quotes we've received are a lot less than $150,000."
She said their quotes had come in at about $70,000, which would push up to $80,000 after fees and plans.
"That's still a substantial renovation for us - we don't have loads of money," said Ms Gardiner.
"Why didn't they make it so people with rentals could have had an incentive to upgrade their properties?
"And whose got $150,000 to throw around at the moment, with a lot of people out of work?
"It's for top end and they've left middle and lower out."
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Having just renovated two bathrooms in her own home, she knows how expensive they are to upgrade, along with kitchens, and said she thought a lower spend, such as $50,000, with a lower cash back amount, would have been more inclusive and just as stimulating to the economy.
"That would still be putting money into the building industry and all the locals who work in those trades," she said.
Goulburn resident Vicki Toole had similarly hoped to see one of her children benefit, but had her hopes dashed.
"If you can afford a $150,000 renovation, you are probably doing okay," said Ms Toole.
"I would have preferred to see the grants go to people on lower incomes who would be able to make life a little more comfortable.
"My daughter lives in a very old home and finally, after 10 years, she is going to have a kitchen renovation.
"She has lived without a proper kitchen, using a toaster oven and one hot plate - the $25,000 grant would mean she could fix her bathroom and roof too.
"Otherwise build some public housing - we shouldn't have homeless people living on the streets."
"She has lived without a proper kitchen, using a toaster oven and one hot plate - the $25,000 grant would mean she could fix her bathroom and roof too. "
- Vicki Toole
Mr Shepherd also addressed the issue of homeless people.
"During COVID-19, homeless people have had to be put up in hotels because we don't have enough social housing in this country," he said.
"We need to support the homeless and low income earners to get a roof over their heads, and not bank roll wealthy Australians housing portfolios.
"Fifty-five per cent of women have lost their jobs. Three times as many people employed in hospitality, tourism, accommodation have lost their jobs.
"None of this will help them. Large sections if not the majority of society (aka tax payers) receive no benefit yet will pay for it for years to come.
"The Liberal Government offers nothing for social housing, affordable housing and ultimately nothing in the end for most tradies, as not many people will qualify for this 'grant' or be stupid enough to put themselves into debt just to get a small portion of the debt covered by taxpayers."
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