Thursday, June 11, 2015

Hockey's housing bubbles

Independent senator Nick Xenophon is calling for greater transparency for MPs who use taxpayer-funded allowances to pay off houses in Canberra, accusing the Government of "dog whistling" on home ownership.

The call follows Treasurer Joe Hockey's advice to first-home buyers to "get a good job that pays good money".

When in Canberra, Mr Hockey stays in the exclusive suburb of Forrest at a house he and his wife own. 

The house is valued at about $2 million and was bought in 1997 for $320,000.

As a politician, Mr Hockey also legitimately claims a $270-a-night allowance for travel to the capital.

In the past he has rented rooms in the property to other politicians.

Senator Xenophon told the ABC's Lateline program that the public had a right to know how their money was being used.

"If an MP is using their allowance to pay off a home for themselves or for their spouse, I don't think it's unfair to require transparency," he said.

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