John Key
might want to have a quiet word with Australian Prime
Minister Tony Abbott about Canberra's just-announced crack
down on offshore speculators when he visits New Zealand this
week, Labour's Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford
says.
"Tony Abbott's centre right government has announced
a tax on foreign buyers, a register of foreign land and
property ownership, and tough penalties for those who break
the rules, following on from the recommendations of a
parliamentary inquiry.
"Contrast that with John Key's
government who deny offshore speculators are a problem,
despite KPMG warning today that bankers believe foreign
buyers are inflating property prices and putting the economy
at risk.
"KPMG think offshore speculators are a problem.
The bankers think they are a problem. The Australian
Government clearly thinks they are a problem. The National
Government is increasingly isolated on this
issue.
"National needs to decide whether it is on the side
of offshore property speculators, or on the side of young
New Zealand first home buyers." ends
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