The Nationals WA have criticised the Cook Labor Government for worsening the housing crisis and increasing
the cost of doing business by ignoring industry calls for crucial reforms to stamp duty and payroll tax.
Leader of The Nationals WA, Shane Love MLA, said the Labor Government is failing Western Australians by
not acting on reforms to improve housing affordability and help small and medium businesses.
“The Nationals are the only Party with a clear plan to help first home buyers and small businesses ahead of the
2025 State election,” Mr Love said.
“While the Cook Labor Government has the resources and the ability to act on these critical reforms, it has
instead chosen to delay and deflect.
“Just last week, Treasurer Rita Saffioti claimed all options were on the table to address housing affordability,
only to backtrack the next day, calling stamp duty reform ‘too difficult.’
“This is a slap in the face to first home buyers struggling to enter the property market and desperate for
assistance from the State Government.”
The Real Estate Institute of WA (REIWA) recently announcing its State Election Platform, which calls for an
increase to the thresholds for both taxes.
“The peak body for WA’s real estate sector has essentially backed in The Nationals’ platform, acknowledging
that it’s never been harder for first home buyers to get a foothold in the property market,” Mr Love said.
“With Perth’s median house price hitting a record $700,000 this week, it’s time for meaningful action on
housing affordability, yet all this Labor Government delivers are excuses.”
REIWA’s platform calls for a significant increase in stamp duty exemptions for first home buyers to reflect the
rising cost of housing in WA.
“REIWA has rightly pointed out that existing thresholds are becoming irrelevant as property prices continue to
soar, and helping WA families buy their own home will also free up desperately needed stock in our
constrained rental market,” Mr Love said.
“That’s why the Nationals in Government will abolish stamp duty for first home buyers. This policy is expected
to help up to 20,000 WA households over the next four years, providing significant savings for first home
buyers across the State.”
REIWA has also joined with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA in calling for the payroll tax threshold
to be lifted to support small and medium businesses.
“The Nationals WA are committed to lifting the payroll tax threshold from $1 million to $1.3 million, a move
which will support 11,000 businesses, create thousands of jobs, and make WA a better place to do business.
“More than two-thirds of WA businesses have identified payroll tax as their highest priority, yet Labor is doing
nothing to address the rising cost of doing business in WA,” Mr Love said.
