Some States are delaying delivery of the new $14 000 first home owners grant. There is no excuse for this delay.
It is time the States started delivering the grant, and homebuyers should insist on payment. Attempts by some States (in particular, Victoria) to blame the Commonwealth for their administrative delays are feeble excuses.
All States and Territories have known since 9 March that the Commonwealth would fund the increased grant in full. This was made clear in a letter of that date from the Prime Minister to all Premiers and Chief Ministers, which stated
"The temporary increase in the grant will be funded in full by the Commonwealth and I would ask that you facilitate a speedy implementation of this initiative."
Commonwealth and State officials then met to settle the administrative and eligibility issues. The details were made public in my press release dated 23 March. Contact numbers for State Revenue Offices were also given in that release.
I reiterated the Commonwealth's commitment to fund the increased grant and the terms of the scheme on 30 March at the Ministerial Council meeting attended by all State and Territory Treasurers.
The Commonwealth will tomorrow advance to the States and Territories $60 million for the cost of the $14,000 first home owners grant.
I also repeat the Governments call for major banks and lending institutions to take the additional support associated with the higher grant into consideration when assessing the borrowing applications from prospective buyers.