Australians head to the polls this Saturday, May 3, for the 2025 federal election. During the election campaign, the Yorke Peninsula Country Times has posed topics for discussion to the candidates for Grey vying for your vote.

We have covered the federal budget; health and aged care; climate change, agriculture and drought; and child care.

This week, the final topic is housing.

Liberal candidate Tom Venning, Labor candidate Karin Bolton, Family First candidate Kylie Evans and One Nation candidate Brandon Turton did not respond to the Yorke Peninsula Country Times‘ request for comment before the required deadline.

For information about early and postal voting, visit aec.gov.au/voting/ways_to_vote.

Anita Kuss – Independent

Despite plenty of available land for housing and a willingness for growth, regional towns are struggling to have new houses due to a lack of water and other enabling services and infrastructure.

Political focus and financial incentives are going in to stimulate new housing in Adelaide, but our regional areas are being left behind and not being listened to by the major parties.

We need a dedicated regional housing fund and policy incentives to offset some of the cost and risk barriers for development in country areas.

We also need to establish stronger partnerships between all levels of government to ensure we have a good, sensible mix of housing to suit our needs.

Places like the Yorke Peninsula also face additional housing supply challenges with the growing number of properties utilised for short-term tourist accommodation.

The high number of tourists/non-residents is often missed in the way population data is collected and the way funding for infrastructure and services is allocated to councils and regional communities.

This means fewer resources and less support are provided and locals end up having to pay more.

The government funding formulas and policy settings need to change to reflect what we actually need in our region.

Laury Bais – Trumpet of Patriots

I recogise the urgent need for smart, locally driven housing solutions across the Yorke Peninsula and Mid North.

With population growth projected at 38 per cent by 2054 — especially in areas such as Barunga West and the Copper Coast — we must act now to ensure everyone has access to affordable, appropriate housing.

If elected, I will push for targeted federal incentives to increase housing stock for renters and first home buyers, including support for low-deposit loans and fast-tracked approvals for essential worker housing.

I’ll advocate for tax reforms that discourage excessive short-term holiday rentals in areas where housing availability is critical.

To meet the need for diverse accommodation, I’ll work with councils and community developers to encourage the construction of aged-friendly units, seasonal worker housing, and affordable smaller homes that reflect our shifting demographics.

On land and water supply, I’ll fight for federal investment in infrastructure upgrades, ensure zoning reforms support sustainable development, and back strategic planning that secures long-term water access for both new developments and agriculture.

We need practical, people-first solutions that support growth — without losing the character and liveability of our regional communities.

That’s exactly what I’ll deliver for the people of Grey.

Peter Borda – National Party of Australia

Housing availability and affordability is something that has been raised with me as I’ve been campaigning right across Grey.

I’m proud to be part of a team that has some practical solutions.

The Nationals announced that we’ll be making the interest repayments on the first $650,000 borrowed by first home owners tax deductible for up to five years if elected.

This will give first home owners a leg up into getting their own home without distorting the market.

We will also be delivering $5 billion through a housing infrastructure program to fund essential infrastructure like water, sewerage and power to unlock new home builds.

Increasing the supply side of the housing market should go some way to easing the affordability of housing.

I’d like to see some innovative thinking around small houses and properties that can be stepping stones in home ownership.

A block of land in the regions is affordable, and streamlining the process of putting a small home on land could be a good way to get people into their first home, or affordable rental.

Kathryn Hardwick-Franco – Australian Greens

I know firsthand the housing pressures facing our region — from renters struggling with soaring costs, to first home buyers locked out, to families and workers needing diverse, affordable options.

The Greens will fight to freeze rents for two years and cap increases at 2 per cent every two years, providing real relief and stability for tenants. We’ll push for a National Renters Protection Authority to enforce your rights, crack down on bad landlords, and guarantee lease renewals so you can put down roots without fear of eviction.

The Greens will make home ownership fairer by ending unfair tax handouts for wealthy property investors and regulating the banks to lower mortgage rates. Our HomeKeeper mortgage plan will cap rates and save buyers thousands each year, helping local people buy their first home instead of being squeezed out.

The Greens will champion a government-owned developer to build quality public and affordable homes, tailored to the needs of our diverse communities.

We will push for national planning guidelines to secure land for housing, and restore the National Water Commission to safeguard water resources for communities, not just big corporations.

Our region deserves a housing system that puts people first — let’s make it happen.

This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 29 April 2025.