- Six-point blueprint to combat issues for agents
- Aims to unite agents and property clients
- Six priorities including phasing out stamp duty
The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) introduced a momentous strategic policy at a launch event in Hobart today, entitled Getting Real: Policy priorities for Australia’s real estate agents and agencies.
The hybrid launch event enabled attendees nationwide to join the proceedings virtually, including the Federal Minister for Housing Michael Sukkar who presented a copy of Getting Real during the event.
The six-point blueprint, dubbed by REIA as “The Great Australian Dream”, aims to establish trusted real estate agents, fair real estate markets and prosperous real estate businesses.
Adrian Kelly, REIA President, said the policy defines barriers to uniting real estate agents and clients and outlines actions that can be taken to address these issues.
“The Covid-19 pandemic and the 2019 negative gearing campaign that reached 11 million voters showed the strength of Australian real estate agents when we unite as a business community,” Mr Kelly said.
The priorities
According to Mr Kelly, the impending Federal Election provided the prime opportunity to discuss real estate policy, and said Getting Real would advance and promote the Australian private property market.
“Getting Real sets the agenda for real estate in Canberra, drives reform and shapes funding opportunities in future Federal Budgets as well as for the looming Federal Election.
“Getting Real articulates six key areas for government: supply, customers, taxation, sustainability, cities and regions, and successful real estate agencies,” Mr Kelly added.
The blueprint identifies six key priorities:
- Urgently address national property manager shortages through an innovative new national membership program
- Secure bi-partisan commitment on a national plan for housing supply and affordability and forming a national council of housing ministers under the National Cabinet
- Phase out stamp duty nationally
- Increase holistic first home buyer support, including advocating for free financial planning for Australians under 30
- Release a white paper on the role of blockchain technology for Aussie real estate agents
- Pull more policy levers to encourage more ‘rightsizing’ as Australia’s population ages
The objectives
The Getting Real policy was established to prioritise five main objectives:
- Drive real estate listings over the short and long term
- Defend against draconian regulation and compliance
- Support confidence and trust in real estate agents and markets
- Attack immediate reputational or economic threats
- Plan for big picture strategic issues to secure agencies a profitable future
In June earlier this year, REIA held their annual Strategic Policy Forum in Darwin. The event, also entitled Getting Real, was instrumental in the creation of the newly released document, alongside months-long consultation with State and Territory Institutes.
