Home ownership is deeply embedded in Australian mythology. But for many the dream has become a nightmare.
Owners are under significant interest rate stress. Buyers feel locked out of a red-hot market. Renters have copped savage increases amid record-low vacancies.
Australia needs millions more homes to meet population growth. Governments are investing big — but not enough to hit their own targets and fighting fierce resistance to higher density living.
How did we get into this mess? And how do we boost affordability and accelerate construction to keep the Aussie housing dream alive?
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This is your chance to hold political leaders to account — and hear experts cut through the spin to the solutions.
Here are the questions our panel faced this week. You can discuss their answers on the Q+A Facebook Page.
HOUSING EQUALITY
Isabelle Noble asked: Does the panel think it is fair that some members of Australian society own multiple homes, whilst other members of Australian society do not have a bed to sleep in?
DEMONISED LANDLORDS
Ann-Maree Eastman asked: Why do politicians feel that they need to keep taxing or changing the rules for how to claim our legitimate business expenses. Owning property is a business and takes time and effort to make sure all is running smoothly.
I’m just so angry that as a landlord I shouldn’t have to feel guilty about owning property. Why does it appear that all landlords are demonised and put in the same bucket?
HOUSING SUPPLY & MIGRATION
David Kiernan asked: The National Housing Accord Facility National has aspirational plans to provide 10,000 new affordable housing dwellings for frontline workers. However BuildSkills Australia has identified there is a need for 90,000 trades people in the next three months – how can this demand be met if there will be insufficient housing?
HOUSING DENSITY
Dan McKenna asked: Hi Max, I’m the CEO of not-for-profit housing developer Nightingale Housing.
Even after multiple projects, we still face difficulties in our attempts to create more well designed, sustainable homes, even from otherwise progressive local councillors who are often influenced by the NIMBY / YIMBY debate.
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My question to you is this, where do the Greens sit on the spectrum between NIMBY’s and YIMBY’s – and how do we convince those who are against medium-density housing to get on board for the greater good?
HOMELESSNESS
Kate Colvin asked: How much homelessness do you think is acceptable in Australia? And what will you do about it?
SUPER FOR FIRST HOME
Crystal Mountford asked: By allowing first home buyers the ability to dip into super, wouldn’t this just cause house prices to be pushed even higher?
HOUSING ACCESS for YOUNGER GENERATIONS
Vishwa Liyanage asked: The Bank of Mum and Dad has become a financial institution that will only grow more influential over time. Everyone seems to acknowledge that it is there but there doesn’t seem to be anyone who acknowledges how influential it is. What options or hope does the panel have for younger Australians who do not have access to this “bank”? HOUSE PRICES
Anneke Nehring asked: Do you think house prices should go down?
