The Nationals WA will deliver targeted support for WA families and builders who have seen construction progress stall amidst a housing and cost-of-living crisis.
Leader Shane Love MLA said The Nationals had been listening to the concerns of families and small and medium builders who were desperate for assistance.
When returned to Government at the 2025 State Election, the Nationals WA will urgently establish a HomeBuild Relief Payment to support WA families whose builds have been under construction for more than two years.
The Nationals will also introduce a Construction Recovery Loan Scheme, providing loans of up to $3 million to small and medium builders.
“Under The Nationals in Government, WA families trapped in construction limbo will have access to a $10,000 HomeBuild Relief Payment, providing them with much-needed financial support during a cost-of-living crisis.
“In many cases, families are paying their mortgage on top of rent, council rates, utilities, and other household fees and charges, all of which have skyrocketed in recent years on the Cook Labor Government’s watch.”
The HomeBuild Relief Payment will initially be capped at $20 million, providing direct financial support to up to 2,000 families, and there is scope to expand the program if needed.
“This will take pressure off families who have been calling out for help for years, but who have been ignored by an arrogant and uncaring Cook Labor Government,” Mr Love said.
“The fallout from the Nicheliving nightmare has exposed huge construction delays as builders have struggled to keep pace with demand since the pandemic.
“And it’s WA families who have paid a steep price – pushed to breaking point financially and emotionally as they wait for years to see progress on their homes.”
Mr Love said it was estimated that of the 18,000 homes currently under construction in WA, around 2,000 had commenced building over two years ago, while more than 110 building companies collapsed in WA during the last financial year alone.
The Nationals WA will also replace Labor’s controversial Builders Support Facility with more effective and accessible support for small and medium building companies.
“The Builders Support Facility has been an abject failure, with builders saying it is too restrictive, the funding on offer is insignificant, there have been long delays to access the interest free loans, and support has been limited to just 153 homes. A drop in the ocean.”
The Construction Recovery Loan Scheme – modelled after the Federal Government’s Small and Medium Enterprise Recovery Loan Scheme – is designed to support WA builders.
“These loans will have a two-year interest free period, before low interest rates would be applied to service the cost of the loan for up to ten years,” Mr Love said.
“Our commitment far eclipses the $300,000 companies were restricted to under Labor’s program, providing greater support for builders who want to do the right thing by their customers, but have understandably struggled with cost increases and labour and supply shortages.
Mr Love said the State Government had a responsibility to support homeowners and builders.
“It was the WA Labor Government who overheated the construction industry with their reckless building bonus payments during the pandemic, something they have never attempted to rectify or even acknowledge.
“Our measures will take the pressure off households doing it tough and support local builders to complete unfinished homes, helping to alleviate the housing and rental crisis for thousands of WA families.
“WA families deserve clarity and support through this challenge – as do our builders.”
