The Property Council of Australia has launched its 2024 state election strategy, “Be a Queenslander – A Plan for our State”.
“Queenslanders always come together; whether during cyclones, responding to floods, fighting fires or on the footy field – our sense of mateship has seen us respond to crisis after crisis,” said Jess Caire (pictured above), Property Council of Australia Queensland executive director.
“The housing crisis should be no different; we need candidates looking to represent Queenslanders to adopt that same sense of comradery and take bold and brave actions that shape the Queensland we all deserve,” Caire said.
“As the mighty maroons prepare for battle in this year’s decider, we need the Queenslander battle cry to not only be heard up and down Caxton Street; we also need it heard in William Street and in communities across the state.”
The Property Council’s state election strategy champions five pillars designed to support Queenslanders by restoring housing supply, preserving affordability, planning for growth, future-proofing the construction sector, and welcoming the investment Queensland needs.
“This strategy sends a clear message to those seeking election in October – Queenslanders stick together, and by supporting the asks outlined in our strategy you will be showing your support for the Queenslanders of today and tomorrow,” Caire said.
“A key ask in this campaign is restoring Queensland’s competitive edge by reducing prohibitive taxes that are pushing housing beyond the reach of Queenslanders,” Caire said. “Every new tax on property pushes up the cost of housing and is ultimately paid for by Queenslanders.”
This includes taxes such as the Additional Foreign Acquirer Duty (AFAD) and the Foreign Land Tax Surcharge (FLTS), which were first introduced in 2016 and have been raised again in this year’s state budget. These increases ultimately add to the costs of delivering new homes and apartments for Queenslanders.
“This isn’t a tax that simply penalises foreign investors, it penalises Australian developers who rely on international funds to deliver their projects in Queensland, so the cost is passed on to the end user,” Caire said.
Caire said that research indicated government taxes make up a third of the cost of new homes in Brisbane. She noted that this significant figure is causing Queensland to fall behind in housing supply and affordability.
“New South Wales may struggle to win an Origin series, but when it comes to stealing our investors, they are streets ahead by exempting Australian-based developers backed by foreign capital from these charges. We need to follow suit,” Caire said.
“Queensland can’t solve the housing crisis on its own and we certainly cannot tax our way out of it; we need help from reputable, reliable investors to build the new homes, businesses, and infrastructure our growing community needs, particularly the new apartments our renters need.”
Caire said the “Be a Queenslander” campaign calls on candidates to commit to more infrastructure, bolster the construction workforce, and make it easier for the private and public sectors to team up to deliver catalytic precincts.
“The mighty maroons are experts in teamwork. We need government to adopt that same approach by teaming up with the property industry to deliver the homes, retail businesses, commercial offices, industrial supply, precincts, and social infrastructure we need,” she said.
“The housing crisis has highlighted the critical role that property plays in the lives of Queenslanders and as a lifeline for the broader economy, and neglecting any aspect of the property ecosystem will prevent us from creating a thriving property industry.”
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