Media Release | 21 May 2025
Sandra Brewer
Shadow Treasurer; Shadow Minister for Women’s Interests
Labor’s new Bill will do little to dix the WA Housing Crisis
The Cook Labor Government’s proposed Duties Amendment Bill 2025 has been slammed as a weak attempt to cover up its failure to deliver a coherent housing strategy for Western Australians.
Shadow Treasurer Sandra Brewer said the stamp duty discounts for first home buyers and the minor extension of off-the-plan duty rebates to owner-occupiers would do little to fix the deepening housing crisis in WA.
“The bottom line is we are simply not building enough houses for Western Australians,” Ms
Brewer said.
“And that’s not due to a lack of demand or developer interest – it’s because this government has created conditions that make it almost impossible to get projects off the ground.
“Skyrocketing construction costs, a critical workforce shortage, union-driven industrial pressures, and an overcooked infrastructure program have pushed many developments to the brink.
“What we’re seeing is a system that no longer stacks up financially for builders and developers. This isn’t a market failure—it’s a policy failure.”
Ms Brewer said that despite record revenues and repeated warnings, the Cook Government has failed to act decisively.
“They had the resources. They had the time. They had the warnings. But they failed to act, failed to listen, and ultimately failed the people of Western Australia,” she said.
“Today, the median house price is out of reach for many young families with rents consuming more of people’s incomes than ever before.
“Builders are walking away from the industry, skilled workers are impossible to find, and multi-unit projects are stuck in limbo. Meanwhile, the social housing waiting list continues to grow.”
Ms Brewer said the Liberal Party supported lower taxes and home ownership, which is why it would not oppose the Bill, but made clear it the measure fell far short of what was needed.
“Western Australians need more than token gestures and headline-chasing announcements.
They deserve a serious housing strategy, one that fixes supply chains, unlocks skilled labour, cuts unnecessary red tape, and makes it financially viable to build again.”
ENDS
