The HomeBuilder Program has been a clear success and has exceeded expectations with more than 2,600 applications for new home builds and substantial renovations in Tasmania.

However, with such an overwhelming response, builders are struggling to meet demand, and industry supply chains are under immense strain. That is why I wrote to the Australian Government urging them to consider extending the time frames.

On the weekend I welcomed the announcement that the Australian Government agreed and that the timeframe to commence works would be extended from 6 to 18 months and that we would match these conditions for the Tasmanian grant contribution.

Following this agreement, and a briefing with Labor and the Greens today under Caretaker Conventions, I have now signed the new National Partnership Agreement and advised the Australian Government this afternoon.

Our housing industry is going from strength to strength. Tasmania has experienced the highest annual growth rate in the value of residential construction in the country, growing 17.7 per cent over the year to the December 2020 quarter, in real seasonally adjusted terms.

And demonstrating that our plan to grow jobs is working, we saw that job vacancies in the building and construction industries have nearly tripled over the year.

And because of this success in our building and construction sector, a re-elected Majority Liberal Government will boost the First Home Owners Grant from $20,000 to $30,000 for Tasmanians considering building their first home.

This extension will be a massive relief to builders and grant applicants, whilst ensuring a strong pipeline of work for the industry, and providing jobs and economic growth to secure Tasmania’s Future.