Scott Morrison urges retirees to 'free up larger homes for younger families'

Canberra Times
August 17 2017

Treasurer Scott Morrison is encouraging older Australians to downsize and "free up homes for larger families" after a Fairfax Media analysis of census data found more than 2000 homes in Sydney and Melbourne with six or more bedrooms and only one person living in them.

The Turnbull government has acknowledged a lack of supply in key areas is locking younger Australians out of the market, while the Greens and Labor have described Australia's housing system as "broken" with a "significant social problem".   :(

On Sunday, figures obtained for Fairfax Media by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed NSW and Victoria are sitting on a glut of 100,000 underused houses, while more than a third of residents in some areas of Sydney and Melbourne suffer from rental stress.

Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson labelled the situation "mad".

"This illustrates just how broken the Australian housing market is," he said. "While young people are getting locked out of the housing market, others are sitting in near empty manors."   :(

Mr Morrison told Fairfax Media he was working with state and territory governments on a new series of housing and homelessness agreements to boost housing supply.

The Treasurer took aim at state governments last year for "farcical hurdles" that have blown out housing developments by up to 12 years on the outskirts of Melbourne, where in some areas the latest figures show there are more than 1500 four- and five-bedroom homes with just one person in them.

The $1 billion plan to fast-track zoning reform will be based on the Britain's national housing infrastructure facility.

The government is also progressively releasing suitable Commonwealth land for development, starting with 127 hectares of defence land in Melbourne.

Mr Morrison said from July next year older Australians considering downsizing will be given the flexibility to contribute up to $300,000 from the sale proceeds of their home into superannuation as a non-concessional contribution.

"This will benefit retirees who sell their home and move into retirement villages, a smaller home, or in with their children and help free up larger homes for younger families."

Labor's housing spokesman Doug Cameron said you would need a microscope to see the effect of the Turnbull government's housing affordability package and the figures highlighted the development of a significant social and economic issue.

"The problem is we see housing as an investment in Australia as distinct from a home," said Senator Cameron.

But the families of pensioners, who make up a large portion of single people in large homes, have lashed out at what they see as the unfair targeting of their hard-earned assets.

Under the government's changes, the sale of the family home would still be counted against the aged pension assets test.

William Calokerinos, whose elderly father owns a four-bedroom home in Randwick in Sydney's east, said the debate ignored the stress of moving into a new home and away from community support at a time when they needed it most.

There are more than 420 four-bedroom homes, 113 five-bedroom homes and 35 six-bedroom homes with only one person living in them in Randwick, while one in five residents pay more than 30 per cent of their income each week in rent.

"Those 'empty nesters' have paid taxes worked hard to build this country and contribute to society," said Mr Calokerinos.

"Why should these people not be able to enjoy the fruits of their labour? The baby boomer generation did not expect to travel every 6 months, they did not require a new tech gadget yesterday and they were often happy to start small and build well-deserved asset wealth."

Mr Calokerinos said society and the government should be thanking older generations, not attacking them.

"People have a choice, it's the same as public and private schools," he said. "If you make $100 million you have the right to live in any house you want.

Luckily it isn't like one of those 'human rights' we are so proud of., like voting.


Imagine the happiness of being forced under the threat of prosecution to comply with the 'right' to own your own home, as the government dictates.



They aren't being forced, so it isn't a problem now is it?

And as soon as they sell their houses they will have money in the bank
& not be entitled to a pension.

That's what is really behind this.

then maybe Morrison should do something about the 'stamp duty' they have to pay to downsize, as well as guarantee that they won't lose any pensions etc

talk is cheap, Morriscum needs to back the rhetoric up with decent policy changes

Bobby. wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 7:18am:

And as soon as they sell their houses they will have money in the bank & not be entitled to a pension. That's what is really behind this.

So they will be able to fund their own retirement and not be a burden on the taxpayer; they should be applauded for their effort.


Because nobody wants to be a free loading scumbag if they can help themselves, do they?

These are people by definition 65 or older, some significantly older. You can’t just kick these people out of the homes they built or bought with their own money.

Morriscum is, obviously, not going to do anything real about the housing crisis, so we get this crap.

To help old people downsize is a tricky exercise and a hugely emotional one too.

And there is stamp duty on the sale and the purchase of a smaller home (do the smaller homes exist in the same neighborhood?) and the costs of the move etc. Just so Morriscum doesn’t have to spend money on social housing?

Jovial Monk wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 8:28am:

These are people by definition 65 or older, some significantly older. You can’t just kick these people out of the homes they built or bought with their own money. Morriscum is, obviously, not going to do anything real about the housing crisis, so we get this crap. To help old people downsize is a tricky exercise and a hugely emotional one too. And there is stamp duty on the sale and the purchase of a smaller home (do the smaller homes exist in the same neighborhood?) and the costs of the move etc. Just so Morriscum doesn’t have to spend money on social housing?

Still not fkking mandatory, calm your tits young lady

Retirees urge Scott Morrison to Downsize his Mouth

BigOl64 wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 8:21am:

Bobby. wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 7:18am: And as soon as they sell their houses they will have money in the bank & not be entitled to a pension. That's what is really behind this. So they will be able to fund their own retirement and not be a burden on the taxpayer; they should be applauded for their effort. Because nobody wants to be a free loading scumbag if they can help themselves, do they?

Why not?  Morrison is doing a wonderful job of just that.......

Simple enough - get all the politicians to put their investment properties on the market now - that'll open up the market significantly... they should all downsize so they do not continue to be a burden on the economy.... well, any more than they are just by breathing that is... maybe we need to tax politician oxygen on the basis of the hot air output and the pollution involved.....

Grappler Truth Teller Feller wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 9:28am:

BigOl64 wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 8:21am: Bobby. wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 7:18am: And as soon as they sell their houses they will have money in the bank & not be entitled to a pension. That's what is really behind this. So they will be able to fund their own retirement and not be a burden on the taxpayer; they should be applauded for their effort. Because nobody wants to be a free loading scumbag if they can help themselves, do they? Why not?  Morrison is doing a wonderful job of just that....... Simple enough - get all the politicians to put their investment properties on the market now - that'll open up the market significantly... they should all downsize so they do not continue to be a burden on the economy.... well, any more than they are just by breathing that is... maybe we need to tax politician oxygen on the basis of the hot air output and the pollution involved.....

Do you wan't all of the investment properties dumped on the market, or just the ones the pollies own?


Not quite the same thing, but since you want to divert the conversation, Ill give t a go for a while.


Also, NOT mandatory, merely a suggestion.

Bobby. wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 7:18am:

And as soon as they sell their houses they will have money in the bank & not be entitled to a pension. That's what is really behind this.

Then the house gets sold to a chinese investor who bulldozes it down and erects two or three townhouses and sells them to his mates back in china to come and live here. So much for foreign investment benefiting the locals :(

BigOl64 wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 8:21am:

Bobby. wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 7:18am: And as soon as they sell their houses they will have money in the bank & not be entitled to a pension. That's what is really behind this. So they will be able to fund their own retirement and not be a burden on the taxpayer; they should be applauded for their effort. Because nobody wants to be a free loading scumbag if they can help themselves, do they?

You mean free loading like ex-pollies who want to spend more time with their familes ??

Governments are the biggest free loaders ever to walk the face of this earth !

Sir lastnail wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 11:45am:

BigOl64 wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 8:21am: Bobby. wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 7:18am: And as soon as they sell their houses they will have money in the bank & not be entitled to a pension. That's what is really behind this. So they will be able to fund their own retirement and not be a burden on the taxpayer; they should be applauded for their effort. Because nobody wants to be a free loading scumbag if they can help themselves, do they? You mean free loading like ex-pollies who want to spend more time with their familes ?? Governments are the biggest free loaders ever to walk the face of this earth !

Yeah, like them, and others

Bobby. wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 7:18am:

And as soon as they sell their houses they will have money in the bank & not be entitled to a pension. That's what is really behind this.

I agree: they have always tried to scare people into the fact that there won't always be a pension but there will!

BigOl64 wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 8:21am:

Bobby. wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 7:18am: And as soon as they sell their houses they will have money in the bank & not be entitled to a pension. That's what is really behind this. So they will be able to fund their own retirement and not be a burden on the taxpayer; they should be applauded for their effort. Because nobody wants to be a free loading scumbag if they can help themselves, do they?

Take what you can: that's what you do!

Australia has the second highest paid politicians and top bureaucrats IN THE WORLD.
Yes, IN THE WORLD!
I understand if you pay peanuts you get monkeys,  but we're paying a fortune and still getting monkeys (who every-so-often delight in throwing their poo at us!). Is this the best the govt can come up with?? Retirees down-size, you are to blame, all will then be fixed with the high housing costs??

Dammit, I want a freakin refund.

TheFunPolice wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 12:01pm:

BigOl64 wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 8:21am: Bobby. wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 7:18am: And as soon as they sell their houses they will have money in the bank & not be entitled to a pension. That's what is really behind this. So they will be able to fund their own retirement and not be a burden on the taxpayer; they should be applauded for their effort. Because nobody wants to be a free loading scumbag if they can help themselves, do they? Take what you can: that's what you do!

It is what all people do, except of course un-medicated loons who tend to enjoy a feast of their own intellectual fecal matter, don't they?

I get as a deep fried lunatic you are prone to stalking behaviour more akin to John Hinkley jr than to any normal human being would feel comfortable with. But I deal with fkkwits everyday and you are not much more than minor irritation that tends to be ignored by everyone in your life.


Just remember to empty your pants at end of every day and you'll be just fine.  :) :) :)

---

Sir lastnail wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 11:41am:

Bobby. wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 7:18am: And as soon as they sell their houses they will have money in the bank & not be entitled to a pension. That's what is really behind this. Then the house gets sold to a chinese investor who bulldozes it down and erects two or three townhouses and sells them to his mates back in china to come and live here. So much for foreign investment benefiting the locals :(

Nail - you've hit the nail on the head.

This is all about screwing pensioners & helping out the foreign investors.

BigOl64 wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 12:11pm:

TheFunPolice wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 12:01pm: BigOl64 wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 8:21am: Bobby. wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 7:18am: And as soon as they sell their houses they will have money in the bank & not be entitled to a pension. That's what is really behind this. So they will be able to fund their own retirement and not be a burden on the taxpayer; they should be applauded for their effort. Because nobody wants to be a free loading scumbag if they can help themselves, do they? Take what you can: that's what you do! It is what all people do, except of course un-medicated loons who tend to enjoy a feast of their own intellectual fecal matter, don't they? I get as a deep fried lunatic you are prone to stalking behaviour more akin to John Hinkley jr than to any normal human being would feel comfortable with. But I deal with fkkwits everyday and you are not much more than minor irritation that tends to be ignored by everyone in your life. Just remember to empty your pants at end of every day and you'll be just fine.  :) :) :)

Sure you know what a stalker is mate!

;) ;) ;)

Bobby. wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 12:46pm:

Sir lastnail wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 11:41am: Bobby. wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 7:18am: And as soon as they sell their houses they will have money in the bank & not be entitled to a pension. That's what is really behind this. Then the house gets sold to a chinese investor who bulldozes it down and erects two or three townhouses and sells them to his mates back in china to come and live here. So much for foreign investment benefiting the locals :( Nail - you've hit the nail on the head. This is all about screwing pensioners & helping out the foreign investors.

And importing more and more customers: globalisation!

thecuriousmail wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 12:10pm:

Australia has the second highest paid politicians and top bureaucrats IN THE WORLD. Yes, IN THE WORLD! I understand if you pay peanuts you get monkeys,  but we're paying a fortune and still getting monkeys (who every-so-often delight in throwing their poo at us!). Is this the best the govt can come up with?? Retirees down-size, you are to blame, all will then be fixed with the high housing costs?? Dammit, I want a freakin refund.

The people lead, governments follow: we just watch tv and say and do nothing except go shopping at coles or woollies once a week and even half of that is being done online!

Drink, go to work, watch tv,... not necessarily in that order.

Why would those in Govt respect the vast masses who do that? They vote for the same ol' bullshite everytime because it just sounds like the same old monotonous drone!

TheFunPolice wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 1:59pm:

BigOl64 wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 12:11pm: TheFunPolice wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 12:01pm: BigOl64 wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 8:21am: Bobby. wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 7:18am: And as soon as they sell their houses they will have money in the bank & not be entitled to a pension. That's what is really behind this. So they will be able to fund their own retirement and not be a burden on the taxpayer; they should be applauded for their effort. Because nobody wants to be a free loading scumbag if they can help themselves, do they? Take what you can: that's what you do! It is what all people do, except of course un-medicated loons who tend to enjoy a feast of their own intellectual fecal matter, don't they? I get as a deep fried lunatic you are prone to stalking behaviour more akin to John Hinkley jr than to any normal human being would feel comfortable with. But I deal with fkkwits everyday and you are not much more than minor irritation that tends to be ignored by everyone in your life. Just remember to empty your pants at end of every day and you'll be just fine.  :) :) :) Sure you know what a stalker is mate! ;) ;) ;)

I can recognise a sh1t flinging loon when I seen one, monkey boy.

BigOl64 wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 2:08pm:

TheFunPolice wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 1:59pm: BigOl64 wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 12:11pm: TheFunPolice wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 12:01pm: BigOl64 wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 8:21am: Bobby. wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 7:18am: And as soon as they sell their houses they will have money in the bank & not be entitled to a pension. That's what is really behind this. So they will be able to fund their own retirement and not be a burden on the taxpayer; they should be applauded for their effort. Because nobody wants to be a free loading scumbag if they can help themselves, do they? Take what you can: that's what you do! It is what all people do, except of course un-medicated loons who tend to enjoy a feast of their own intellectual fecal matter, don't they? I get as a deep fried lunatic you are prone to stalking behaviour more akin to John Hinkley jr than to any normal human being would feel comfortable with. But I deal with fkkwits everyday and you are not much more than minor irritation that tends to be ignored by everyone in your life. Just remember to empty your pants at end of every day and you'll be just fine.  :) :) :) Sure you know what a stalker is mate! ;) ;) ;) I can recognise a sh1t flinging loon when I seen one, monkey boy.

Does that make me the stalker or you?

;D ;D ;D

  ** ....bang bang  ;D ;D