The distance from Corryong to Khancoban is just 27kms but the gap between being able to buy a home is almost $45,000.

“People looking to buy their first home in Corryong are paying almost $45,000 more than someone on the other side of the Murray River for the same priced property,” according to Member for Benambra, Bill Tilley.

In State Parliament last week, Liberal Member for Northern Victoria, Wendy Lovell, demanded the Treasurer end the blatant disadvantage faced by Victorian first home buyers, who receive far less support on stamp duty than their NSW counterparts.

In Khancoban, under the NSW government’s program first home buyers do not pay stamp duty on properties up to $800,000 but in Corryong the cut-off is $600,000.

The Federal government’s First Home Guarantee props up first home buyers by guaranteeing their deposit and removing the need for Lenders Mortgage Insurance and the cap for NSW is $750,000; however, for Corryong the cap is $100,000 less.

Ms Lovell highlighted a recent example at Leneva, in Wodonga.

“A young woman had worked hard to save up her deposit on a $675,000 home,” she said.

“That price exceeded the cap in Victoria for both schemes which meant an extra $17,785 in stamp duty and $26,664.63 for Lenders Mortgage Insurance.

“Had that home been in Thurgoona there would have been no additional cost.”

Mr Tilley said the lack of parity was pushing first home buyers into NSW.

“It seems ridiculous that when these programs are dreamt up that no one seems to be looking across the river, looking at what our neighbouring state is doing and assessing the unintended consequence of their actions,” he said.

“Seriously, why would a first home buyer be buying on this side of the Murray?

“My argument is simple, we are one community here on the Border and the cap should be the same no matter which side of the river you live on.”

The Treasurer has 28 days to respond to Ms Lovell.

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 18 September 2025.