Newman targets housing affordability in Queensland

CAMPBELL Newman has vowed to make Queensland housing more affordable and pay greater attention to the construction industry.

CAMPBELL Newman has vowed to make Queensland housing more affordable under an LNP government and pay greater attention to the construction industry.

Addressing a Property Council breakfast in Brisbane this morning, the Liberal National Party leader said a resurgent property sector was vital to the state's recovery from recent economic volatility.

That volatility, combined with lower than expected population growth has caused problems in the sector, leading the Bligh government to introduce a $10,000 home building grant in an effort to stimulate the market.

"To achieve our 4 per cent jobs target, to create jobs and job security for Queenslanders we need to get your industry out of the slump it has endured over the past few years," Mr Newman told the breakfast.

Mr Newman said an LNP government would establish a Cabinet committee focussed on property and construction to be chaired by the Queensland Treasurer and reintroduce a stamp duty concession likely to save homebuyers an average $7000 in taxes.

The former Brisbane Lord Mayor has also pledged to wind back the Urban Land Development Authority to re-empower local governments to make local planning decisions, overhaul the Sustainable Planning Act, and scrap a waste levy affecting businesses.

Telling the breakfast the announcements were the last of the LNP's core economic policies, Mr Newman said he remained on alert for Premier Anna Bligh to call an election.

Ms Bligh has no public engagements today but Deputy Premier and Treasurer Andrew Fraser has seized on reports Mr Newman's family stood to benefit from a development application considered by Brisbane City Council while Mr Newman was at the helm.

Mr Newman has denied any wrongdoing.