Report to Members Residential property dominated theeconomic, political and socialparticipated in over 100 governmentreviews and inquiries, issued 320 landscape throughout 2017. media releases, conducted over 2017building industry completed a record216,000 new homes – enough tohouse the population of Canberra.During the year, the residential1,000 television, radio andnewspaper interviews and receivedover 10,000 mentions across themedia spectrum. The number and mix of new homes HIA held its 8th Building Better completed during the year is a Cities Summit titled ‘Manufacturing testament to the housing industry’s Building Products in Australia – capacity and agility to deliver quality, where to from here?’ to focus innovative and affordable housing for attention on the considerable all Australians. challenges confronting manufacturing The housing industry’s efforts to in Australia, and some of the correct years of housing supply opportunities ahead. imbalance however were not without The HIA Charitable Foundation their own challenges. Access to land, continued its partnership with delays in obtaining planning beyondblue and provided further approvals, additional bureaucracy and support for its mental health projects red tape, tighter workforce conditions, and highlighted the impact of mental new taxes and charges, and health on the housing industry. restrictions on investor lending were a During the year we acknowledged collective handbrake on housing a number of industry leaders for their activity, supply and affordability during contribution to the industry and to the the year, and more importantly, for the Association. George Kline was RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY years ahead. honoured with the Sir Phillip Lynch DOMINATED THE ECONOMIC, 2017 was a year that reinforced the Award of Excellence at our Annual POLITICAL AND SOCIAL imperative of a strong housing Conference at Hamilton Island, and LANDSCAPE THROUGHOUT 2017 industry voice. HIA Life Membership was awarded to Increasing residential property Terry Jenkins, James Graham, Dale prices across the eastern states, Crawford and David Farrell. driven by record low interest rates On a sad note, HIA lost a Past and continuing strong population President with the passing of Ron growth, attracted ongoing media Seares, National President from attention and masked the more 1968-69. passive markets in South Australia, During the year I was privileged to Western Australia and North be elected to the position of National Queensland. Negative commentary President and punctuated my on foreign and domestic residential appointment with a keen focus on property investors and proposals to training and planning. I acknowledge discourage mum and dad investors the support of our National Board through changes to negative gearing of Directors and staff, and and capital gains tax arrangements importantly, the contribution and persisted throughout the year. The tireless efforts of our immediate Past notion that more taxation and President, Ross Lang. regulation will improve housing Having participated in many supply and affordability could not be complex and robust discussions left unchallenged. across our Association’s committees In response, HIA undertook nationwide, I pass on my sincere significant research and modelling thanks to each and every HIA projects to measure the impact of member who volunteers their time to changes to capital gains tax and support the Association, inform its value capture on affordability, policy development and underpin building activity and the national the future of the residential building economy. The results demonstrated industry. the danger of fiddling with taxation settings on residential property. HIA stood firm against ill-advised Pino Monaco policy proposals. The Association National President HIA ANNUAL REPORT 2017 i|