HomeBuilder program criticized for 'locking out' Eden-Monaro families

The program offers grants of $25,000 for people building or renovating their home and is predicted to cost $688million, provided 27,500 people take up the offer.

Liberal candidate for Eden-Monaro Dr Fiona Kotvojs said it was support for the residential construction sector, designed to spark a tradie-led recovery from COVID-19.

"This is a much-needed boost to our region's jobs," Dr Kotvojs said.

"It will help everyday families across Eden-Monaro to build a new home, or extend the home they may have grown out of.

"More than 8000 people in this electorate depend on the construction industry for their living, and thanks to HomeBuilder they will continue to have an income."

In a press release the Liberals stated the program will also create more opportunities for first home buyers to enter the property market.

But Labor candidate for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain slammed the program, claiming it "locks out" the vast majority of families in her electorate, as the grants are for renovations worth between $150,000 and $750,000.

"The median household income in our region is $70,000 per year. How many people have $150,000 to renovate their kitchen?" Ms McBain said.

"Surely there are better ways to stimulate construction in our housing sector than this?

"This is just like the bushfire recovery. The government is quick to make an announcement, but too slow in getting support to those that need it most."

In a media release, the Greens stated while the package would help builders and home owners, it will exacerbate the Liberal Party's "complete abandonment" of low-income earners, renters and the homeless in Australia's communities.

"While the renovation support might help regional jobs through the building industry, a far greater benefit would be to put this stimulus into building public housing for low income and socially disadvantaged people," the Greens' candidate for Eden-Monaro Cathy Griff said.

"This would still support local building businesses, but would have the additional benefit of alleviating the rental affordability crisis and affordable housing shortage."