PEAK property industry groups are disappointed not to have
met with Treasurer Eric Ripper over concerns that tax changes announced in the
recent State Budget will not come into effect until July 1. It is feared that
the market for first home buyers will stall while purchasers wait for the
changes to stamp duty, and that this will have a ripple effect on the rest of
the market.
The Master Builders Association, the Urban Development
Institute of Australia, the Real Estate Institute of Australia and the Housing
Industry Association were united in their request to meet with Mr Ripper, but
the Government has declined to meet with them on the issue.
MBA director of economics and housing, Gavan Forster, said
it was “very disappointing” that the Government would not listen to the
concerns of the industry.