Sorry that was $400 a week rent, but it could soon be $4000.

Hassy, you will have to admit "affordable housing" is out of reach for many Australians. I see home ownership as a RIGHT, not a luxury. The system as it now operates puts that dream of owning a home out of reach for so many, particularly young families, something has to be done about it. If the private system cannot provide, and it cannot, then there is no alternative other than government intervention. There must be an alternative to the "rental trap" that now exists, in some cases a shortage of rental accomerdation is putting people out on the street.

Could I suggest AB, your reputation would be better served, if you didn’t advertise yourself as the OLO Royal DH.

Dan.

Suggest anything you like. Dan.

Your latest contribution simply makes my case, thanks!

On the topic of affordable housing? Something needs to change! And could start with negative gearing. which should be limited to 5 max properties and only on new build housing only. With a phase in period of 18 months to give investors a chance to get out of existing housing and into brand new not yet lived in housing.

That and the release of much more land by state government limiting supply currently to ramp up stamp duties, which should be abolished as promised with the introduction of the GST. Which should be withheld from those states still imposing stamp duties, until they comply and abolish it and other front loaded taxes! No ifs, buts or maybes!
Alan B.

That is the trouble with lefty thinking Paul. Far too many "rights", & not enough responsibilities.

Paul perhaps people should have the right to pitch a tent, or build a humpy on public land, as did the aboriginals, but no one has a "right" to expect others to supply things they don't have. There are tens of thousands of people who could have bought themselves a house, but wanted other things, like new cars, instead. They now have no right to public moneys for housing.

Even if we beat the local council, & get to split off a block for my daughter to put a house on, it will still cost me over $40,000 in council fees & charges. It will then cost her something similar in fees to actually build. If we could stop greedy councils ripping everyone off housing would be a lot cheaper.

I agree it is tough for kids today, but a lot of the reason is high taxes, direct & indirect. When I bought my first house most paid only 7.5% tax. Today with so many handouts to so many, people lose too much of their income for governments to spend on others, or wasteful "infrastructure" spending, that helps far too few to be of any use. Perhaps if government did less for the "needy", they would be able to do more for themselves.

Superannuation is a perfect example, taking money off people at the very time they need to buy houses, & raise kids. A house owned free & clear is the best superannuation on earth, not more money to spend in retirement.

The problem with accessing supa to pay for housing, or as Morrison did allow people to access supa to pay bills, is in old age there will be insufficient funds available to pay an every growing number on aged welfare.

"but no one has a "right" to expect others to supply things they don't have."..."split off a block for my daughter to put a house on". With your philosophy your daughter should be going it alone!