‘HomeBlunder’: Federal government’s HomeBuilder scheme attracts just 10 NT applications, with only three grants paid

A MAJOR federal stimulus measure has attracted only a handful of applications in the Territory, drawing ridicule from the opposition. SEE THE STATS HERE.

LABOR has labelled the federal government’s HomeBuilder scheme a “blunder”, with just three grants given in the Northern Territory by last month.

Figures show there were just 10 applications for HomeBuilder made by September 11 within the Territory.

Of the 10 applications, eight were for new builds and two for substantial renovations.

Nationally, just 123 applications had their grants paid out of a total of 6335 applications.

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HomeBuilder, which was launched four months ago to stimulate the construction industry, provides owner-occupiers with a $25,000 grant to either “substantially renovate” or build a new home.

Despite the figures, Housing Minister Michael Sukkar described the response to HomeBuilder as “extraordinary” in July.

Only three applications for HomeBuilder have been accepted in the NT. Picture: iStock.

Mr Sukkar told the NT News the scheme was “delivering for the residential construction industry … by stimulating demand in the residential construction sector”.

“(Australian Bureau of Statistics) data shows the number of loans for the construction of a new dwelling increased by 22.9 per cent in August 2020 to its highest level in over a decade.”

Mr Sukkar claimed there were 9800 HomeBuilder applications, and the number of applications so far was actually a month ahead of forecasts.

“The level of applications received to date was not expected until November,” he said.

Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

Shadow Housing Minister Jason Clare. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

In a statement, Labor housing shadow minister Jason Clare labelled the scheme as “HomeBlunder” and claimed it would support less than 10,000 jobs nationally.

“This is proof that the HomeBuilder Scheme is too small and rolling out too slowly,” Mr Clare said.

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“This Government is great at slogans, great at spin but hopeless at delivery,” he said.

“They need to hurry up and fix their bungled HomeBuilder Scheme.”