McGowan government confirms housing sector funding package as WA records no new COVID-19 cases

Peter LawThe West Australian
Camera IconMr McGowan said the State’s own stimulus package for the sector would be announced “in coming days”, but would not confirm speculation it was likely to include additional cash grants. Credit: RICHARD WAINWRIGHT/AAPIMAGE

Mark McGowan has confirmed the State Government will soon unveil its own funding package to boost the construction industry as WA recorded no new COVID-19 infections overnight.

The Premier welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement that it would offer $25,000 tax-free grants to people wanting to build a new home or substantially renovate an existing home.

Mr McGowan said the State’s own stimulus package for the sector would be announced “in coming days”, but would not confirm speculation it was likely to include additional cash grants.

The West Australian understands the State will offer grants of about $20,000 towards the cost of building a home in new and existing suburbs, as well as funding to refurbish social housing stock.

If confirmed, those eligible for both the Federal and State grants could receive about $45,000 towards the cost of building a new home.

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“The housing sector has done it tough and clearly employs hundreds of thousands of Australians and many thousands of apprentices and trainees. I’d like to congratulate and welcome what the Commonwealth has done,” Mr McGowan said.

“Now we understand the details of what exactly the Commonwealth is doing, we will work on our package will be. I expect we’ll make an announcement in coming days.”

Travel in and out of Kimberley resumes on Friday after the Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt approved a request from the State Government to lift the biosecurity restrictions two weeks earlier than planned.

While travel to Far North holiday destinations such as Broome can resume, access to remote communities remains restricted under the State’s Emergency Management Act.

WA has 26 active coronavirus cases, including 20 crew members from the Al Kuwait live export ship which sailed into Fremantle late last month.

Health Minister Roger Cook said WA had conducted more than 102,000 coronavirus tests, including more than 1000 healthy frontline workers who yesterday took part in the asymptomatic testing program.

He said a Telethon Kids Institute-run study to test children and teachers at 80 schools had now received ethics approvals and could start as soon as next week, once parental permission has been confirmed.

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