It is likely the discussion on housing affordability will be lost in the news of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's ministerial changes but it nonetheless an important issue in an election year.

The federal opposition's promise to tackle housing affordability is commendable but is not something the Australian public is likely to see if the poor showing in the polls and reported negative party sentiment continues.

Under the Labor proposal, from July 2017 buyers of existing real estate will no longer be able to access the tax write-off and negative gearing would only be available on newly constructed homes.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said the focus on new homes would "level the playing field for first home buyers".

The policy pitch is unlikely to excite the hearts in the ACT where the high entry point to buy a home leaves many first home buyers already competing with investors for property.

The retargeting of the first home buyers' grant also pushes those taking the first step in the property market towards new homes or substantially renovated ones.

The research paper that inspired Labor's policy claims restricting negative gearing to new construction would "provide powerful incentives for increased housing supply" and would lead to greater price stability.

The local property and construction sector does not believe the policy will do much to improve the housing affordability in the ACT and would not improve the land supply issue.

In fact industry experts think the policy is more likely to harm first home buyers.

Demand for land remains strong in the capital and while the Land Development Agency is constantly criticised for not releasing enough, it claims it's getting sites ready as fast as it can.

Housing affordability is an important issue for the territory in both local and federal elections this year.

Canberrans would welcome policy talk from both sites of politics about genuine ways to improve the situation for first home buyers.