Housing West Aussies

The Nationals WA have unveiled a billion-dollar commitment to deliver an unprecedented investment into Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) and social housing in regional and remote areas.

Leader of The Nationals WA Shane Love MLA unveiled the Building Regional Homes Program today, which will deliver up to 1,000 new GROH homes and 500 additional social housing properties in regional WA over the next decade.

The Building Regional Homes Program will invest $100 million annually for the next 10 years to expand both GROH and social housing stock across regional WA.

“Housing is the biggest issue facing WA right now. That’s why The Nationals are committed to Building Regional Homes,” Mr Love said.

“This is a long-term plan to deliver a long-overdue expansion of GROH housing, providing high-quality, affordable accommodation for key workers like teachers, police and healthcare professionals which are desperately needed in our regions.

“And we’re supporting our most vulnerable regional residents by transitioning hundreds of properties to social housing.”

For every two new GROH homes constructed, an existing GROH home will be transferred to social housing for a 15-year period, before being sold on the private market. All proceeds from these sales will be reinvested directly back into the program, creating a sustainable, long-term housing program for regional WA.

“This will deliver a net increase to GROH and social housing year-on-year, provide certainty for the construction sector in regional and remote areas, and support long-term procurement and planning, ensuring WA taxpayers get the best value for their money,” Mr Love said.

“And in time, this program will help create a steady stream of affordable housing for first home buyers as this housing enters the private market.”

Mr Love said every regional area would benefit from the Building Regional Homes Program, with a focus on areas with the greatest need, with the Pilbara, West Kimberley and Goldfields identified as high-priority areas.

“These are some of the most challenging regions to attract the essential staff we need to ensure our regional communities are safe, sustainable, and successful.”

The Nationals WA have also announced an audit of all public construction projects within 200 days of forming Government to identify constraints impacting housing supply.

“This audit will help us reprioritise infrastructure spending and create a 10-year plan to fast-track housing construction and shift the focus back to what matters most – getting homes built for WA families,” Mr Love said.

“We’re Building Regional Homes, because nothing is more important than having a place to call home.”

The Nationals WA Housing Spokesperson and Legislative Council candidate Rob Horstman said there would also be opportunities to work with local governments in a meaningful way to boost GROH supply even further.

“Local governments have a strong track record of delivering infrastructure investment in their communities faster and more cost-effectively,” Mr Horstman said.

“The Nationals will work closely with local governments on a model which can leverage this investment to deliver additional housing, while also ensuring those with smaller ratepayer bases aren’t left behind.

“Under our plan, the burden will never fall on local governments to fund the full cost of housing for essential Government employees.”

Mr Horstman also slammed WA Labor’s track record on regional housing.

“Since 2017, WA Labor has added just 58 new GROH homes, while WA’s population has grown by over 400,000, and their track record on social housing is even worse, with the number of new homes actually going backwards,” he said.

The Nationals WA have committed over $2 billion towards solving WA’s housing crisis including:

• $1 billion for the Building Regional Homes Program to build over 1,500 new GROH and Social Homes in regional WA.
• $1 billion for the Regional Headworks Fund to unlock land for development
• $160 million to abolish stamp duty for first home buyers, helping young Western Australians enter the housing market.
• $20 million to deliver HomeBuild Relief Payments for up to 2,000 WA families impacted by construction delays
• $10 million to support homelessness initiatives across WA

The Nationals WA will invest $10 million to combat homelessness and rough sleeping, expanding real-time data collection and developing targeted housing and homelessness blueprints for regional WA.

Leader of The Nationals WA, Shane Love MLA, made the announcement during this week’s Shelter WA Election Forum, reinforcing the Party’s commitment to real, targeted solutions for homelessness.

“Homelessness is rising across Western Australia, particularly in regional areas,” Mr Love said.

“The Nationals WA will expand the By-Name List to ensure we have accurate, real-time data to drive better investment and service delivery. We will also develop Regional Housing and Homelessness Blueprints to identify service gaps and ensure communities get the support they need.”

The By-Name List, run under the Advance to Zero initiative, is a proven, data-driven model that collects realtime data on rough sleepers, helping frontline services connect them with housing and support.

“Under WA Labor, the By-Name List is only funded in Perth, Bunbury and Geraldton, leaving many regional communities completely in the dark when it comes to understanding and addressing homelessness.”

The Nationals WA will double the current funding for the Advance to Zero project over the next four years, allowing for the By-Name List to be expanded to Albany, Broome, Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Karratha.

“We know homelessness has worsened in WA, rising from 1,200 people in 2021 to over 1,600 in 2024 in the areas monitored by the By-Name List. The real figure is likely even higher because WA Labor has failed to expand the program beyond a handful of locations,” Mr Love said.

“Without real data, we can’t measure progress or ensure services are targeted to the right areas.”

The Nationals WA Housing spokesperson Rob Horstman said funding will also be put towards developing Regional Housing and Homelessness Blueprints to map out critical service gaps and infrastructure needs.

“These region-specific blueprints will identify available services, including social housing, crisis accommodation, and frontline support providers, highlight funding and service gaps, and ensure regional WA is not left behind when it comes to investment in housing and homelessness,” Mr Horstman said.

“Shelter WA has reported homelessness rates in regional WA are up to 10 times higher than Perth. Despite this, WA Labor continues to funnel all its resources into the metro area, while people in regional towns and communities are left behind.

“That’s why The Nationals WA will make sure housing and homelessness funding is driven by real data, local needs, and community input – not just Perth-centric decision making,” Mr Horstman said.

The Nationals WA have also made several commitments to address the cost of living including $160 million to abolish stamp duty for 20,000 first home buyers, and $100 million boost to the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme to help 50,000 regional families.

Leader of The Nationals WA, Shane Love MLA, has reaffirmed The Nationals’ commitment to establish a $1 billion Regional Headworks Fund for Western Australia when elected to government in 2025.

Speaking at the Albany Agricultural Show alongside Nationals WA candidate for Albany, Scott Leary, Mr. Love outlined The Nationals’ ambitious plan to drive essential land development across Albany and regional WA.

“Our $1 billion plan will remove infrastructure barriers that have long hindered growth outside of the metropolitan area,” Mr. Love said.

“The skyrocketing costs of connecting essential services like water, power, and sewerage have been major roadblocks to development.”

“This investment, spread over 10 years, will enable local governments and private sector developers to overcome these challenges, opening up land for much needed residential, commercial, and industrial projects.”

The Nationals WA candidate for Albany, Scott Leary, stated that the Regional Headworks Fund is precisely the practical, forward-thinking policy Albany needs.

“Albany has been stifled by development constraints, but with The Nationals’ commitment to this billion-dollar fund, we now have a path forward for new projects and job-creating developments that will benefit our local economy.”

“In Albany and across the state, local governments are grappling with rising headworks costs, which often make vital community projects unviable, but The Nationals Regional Headworks Fund will make these developments possible, benefiting the thousands of people who choose to live in Albany and regional WA.”

Leader of the Nationals Shane Love said The Nationals Regional Headworks Fund will complement the Federal Coalition’s commitment to a $5 billion Housing Infrastructure Programme (HIP), which will invest in shovel-ready infrastructure, unlocking up to 500,000 homes across Australia, through a mix of grants and concessional loans.

“These comprehensive development plans demonstrate The Nationals WA’s commitment to practical investments that put regional Western Australians first, offering a clear choice for voters at the 2025 State Election.”

The Nationals WA have announced a groundbreaking commitment to abolish stamp duty for first home buyers,
a move set to benefit up to 20,000 new homeowners and revolutionise the path to home ownership in Western
Australia.

Leader Shane Love MLA unveiled the bold policy at The Nationals WA State Conference and Convention in
Bunbury, calling it a “game-changer” for those struggling to afford their first home.

“Under the Nationals in Government, WA will lead the Nation as the first State to abolish stamp duty for first
home buyers,” Mr Love said.

“This is a monumental step towards getting thousands of Western Australians into their first homes sooner.”

“For years, the stamp duty concession has lagged behind the rising median house price in WA, restricting
access and leaving many potential homeowners out in the cold amidst a housing and cost-of-living crisis.”

While Perth’s median house price currently sits at $680,000, stamp duty exemptions for first home buyers are
capped at properties valued up to $450,000.

“Many first home buyers are finding entry-level homes are now priced well beyond $450,000, and it’s the
Government’s responsibility to ensure the dream of home ownership remains within reach,” Mr Love said.

Under The Nationals’ policy, a first home buyer purchasing a $500,000 home would save $7,500, while those
buying at the median Perth home price of $680,000 would be $26,000 better off.

“In most other States, first home buyers pay little to no stamp duty on similarly priced homes,” Mr Love said.

“It’s unacceptable that WA first home buyers are at a disadvantage, especially in the Nation’s most prosperous
State.

“Our policy will significantly reduce the time needed to save for a deposit and provide first home buyers with
more options in the market.”

Stamp duty reform has long been championed by key industry stakeholders, including the Real Estate Institute
of WA and the Housing Industry Association, who argue it is an inefficient tax which stifles the economy.

“Stamp duty puts a stranglehold on our economy and disproportionately impacts those saving for their first
homes, making it harder for them to overcome the first hurdle and buy their home.”

Mr Love also criticised the Cook Labor Government’s reliance on stamp duty revenue, which currently
generates $2.3 billion annually – surpassing the combined royalty income from gold, lithium and nickel.

“It’s time to reinvest some of these significant proceeds back into the people who work so hard to deliver
them.” Mr Love said.

“After eight years of WA Labor, the gap between homeowners and a generation of renters has never been
wider. The Nationals WA are committed to bridging the gap and supporting first home buyers across the State.”

The policy is expected to cost up to $160 million over four years and will provide support for up to 5,000 first
home buyers in WA each year.

According to Revenue WA there were 3,548 new first homeowners in 2023-24.