10 June 2015
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Joe Hockey has sought to mollify aspiring homebuyers offended by his comments that “if housing were unaffordable in Sydney, no one would be buying it” and “the starting point for a first home buyer is to get a good job that pays good money”.
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For the record, Joe Hockey’s salary as treasurer is about $400,000 a year. He’s also “entitled” to a privately plated car for official business and he gets a tax-free $271 for every night spent in Canberra or other rates for “official business” elsewhere. Whatever he doesn’t spend, he can pocket. When in Canberra, Hockey stays in a $2 million house majority owned by his wife. Do you think that house might be negatively-geared? Over the 4 years to August 2014, Hockey has legitimately claimed $108,000 in travel allowance for 368 nights away from his family’s luxury home in the north shore suburb of Hunters Hill, many nights for parliamentary sitting weeks where he has stayed at the Canberra house. Hockey has been mightily offended by the media coverage of his comments. In an interview with ABC News Radio, Hockey declined the opportunity to apologise for his remarks and accused the interviewer of “playing the man” . Hello? Has he not witnessed the government’s efforts to trash Gillian Triggs? As to housing affordability, it’s certainly lot harder for your average Joe/Jo and their families.
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