The Australian Institute of Architects has reacted coolly to the federal government’s 2018-19 budget, describing the spending as a “mixed bag.”
While housing affordability was at the forefront of the 2017-18 federal budget, specific housing measures “remained on the fringes this time around,” said Institute national president Richard Kirk. The previous budget included a $1 billion National Housing and Infrastructure Facility (NHIF), releasing surplus Commonwealth land for housing and a range of financial incentives to assist first-home buyers, downsizing for older Australians and to encourage private-sector investment in affordable housing.
Kirk said, “The Institute is certainly pleased to see the Federal Government funding the new National Housing and Homelessness Agreement, providing $7 billion in housing funding and an additional $620 million for homelessness services over the next five years.”
Kirk was also “delighted” by a $550 million funding boost to improve housing outcomes for Indigenous people in remote areas of the Northern Territory.
However, he was critical of the absence of funding to establish a federal government architect, calling it a “missed opportunity.”
“The benefits of which are increasingly plain to see and being adopted at a State and Territory level. This is a critical initiative that must be implemented.”
Elsewhere, he welcomed “new measures supporting export and trade, including $15 million over four years for a package of initiatives to support Australian businesses and maximize commercial opportunities in overseas markets are particularly welcome.
“The Australian architectural profession is highly regarded internationally, and this will assist to expand the reputation of Australian architects.”
He was also supportive of the funding allocated for Australia’s pavilion at the 2020 World Expo in Dubai. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade announced that Australia would participate in the expo in March.
Kirk praised the $5 billion commitment to the construction of a Melbourne Airport Rail Link in addition to a spread of other rail projects around the country.
“[I] hope to see additional investment in improving public transport networks in all states and territories in future budgets,” he said.
He said the government’s new $1 billion Urban Congestion Fund is “welcome to tackle hot spots but highlights that our growth has historically not been well managed.”
“Better planning across all levels of government as well as proper investment in transport connections would go a long way to alleviating the need for such band-aid measures.”
