I have a PhD in housing (impact of Airbnb on housing markets) & have many thoughts on city people moving to the regions, but have never heard of Howard’s immigration policies put that way! I must admit I’m a bit late to the party on this quarterly essay but I think I’ll be picking myself up a copy tomorrow! Thanks for this great article.
Thanks Laura. Yeah, I think that is the value of Kohler's article - he looks at policies and politics outside of anything traditionally to do with homes and housing.
Also, on your concerns regarding climate resilience: I work in engineering and “resilience” is a buzzword that some players (developers, government, peak bodies) are making an effort to consider in new developments. However, there is no accountability to actually adopt recommendations found in a climate risk assessment. It feels like a box ticking exercise. Meanwhile, thousands of people in Lismore are still waiting to be paid their insurance claims for the flooding two years ago! It already is an economic burden that will just continue to worsen as more storms, floods and fires affect our homes.
I’ll definitely pick up a copy of this essay on the strength of this analysis.
It makes me so sad and angry to remember the 2019 election labour lost, I think largely because of fear about their proposed changes to negative gearing. I don’t know if these changes would have made much difference but it feels like every time there is a whiff of genuine policy reform we (the Australian public) vote no (see also the emissions trading scheme/price on carbon and of course the voice). Here’s hoping the changing age structure of the population will bring some appetite for change.
We also moved to a country town in early 2022 (something in the water!) and I’ve often felt guilty about the role we play in housing inequity in the region. Once an antique store owner grumbled at us that there are now more coffee shops than people in Castlemaine lol. It’s funny but it’s also indicative of a changing face in the community, not sure if for better or for worse.
Thank you for reading Kohler's essay and your reflections on it, Astrid. What you describe of Kohler's argument -- that no one will manage a reduction in house prices, therefore incomes need to increase to make housing more affordable -- is really infuriating. The most pernicious feature of housing policy in Australia over decades has been the treatment of housing as a financial asset, and a suitable vehicle for financial speculation. Lisa Adkins et al put this argument far better than me in The Asset Economy, an absolute must read on housing and inequality. Australia of course isn't unique in this, but it sure is competitive in the field. Nothing will fundamentally improve until we recognise housing as a human right. We desperately need policy reform to remove incentives to hoard and profit from constrained housing supply.
I am in my 50s and a beneficiary of the housing booms of previous decades. We have always lived in places we could afford and have not over-extended ourselves, but what we could afford definitely improved over time. We have 3 children in their 20s who cannot afford to buy. We lent the eldest one money and will do the same for the others when they are ready.
I feel pain about this decision. I understand the deep inequality that is happening in Australia. I know they are "privileged". I also know it changed their life.
There are no easy or short term answers. Ultimately Australia has to get off the addictive roundabout of high household debt, overconsumption and an inflated property market.
I really appreciate your analysis Astrid and would love to see your article published more widely. It's a great read.
I have a PhD in housing (impact of Airbnb on housing markets) & have many thoughts on city people moving to the regions, but have never heard of Howard’s immigration policies put that way! I must admit I’m a bit late to the party on this quarterly essay but I think I’ll be picking myself up a copy tomorrow! Thanks for this great article.
Thanks Laura. Yeah, I think that is the value of Kohler's article - he looks at policies and politics outside of anything traditionally to do with homes and housing.
Also, on your concerns regarding climate resilience: I work in engineering and “resilience” is a buzzword that some players (developers, government, peak bodies) are making an effort to consider in new developments. However, there is no accountability to actually adopt recommendations found in a climate risk assessment. It feels like a box ticking exercise. Meanwhile, thousands of people in Lismore are still waiting to be paid their insurance claims for the flooding two years ago! It already is an economic burden that will just continue to worsen as more storms, floods and fires affect our homes.
I’ll definitely pick up a copy of this essay on the strength of this analysis.
It makes me so sad and angry to remember the 2019 election labour lost, I think largely because of fear about their proposed changes to negative gearing. I don’t know if these changes would have made much difference but it feels like every time there is a whiff of genuine policy reform we (the Australian public) vote no (see also the emissions trading scheme/price on carbon and of course the voice). Here’s hoping the changing age structure of the population will bring some appetite for change.
I forgot Shorten attempted that! It would have made such a difference to get rid of negative gearing.
We also moved to a country town in early 2022 (something in the water!) and I’ve often felt guilty about the role we play in housing inequity in the region. Once an antique store owner grumbled at us that there are now more coffee shops than people in Castlemaine lol. It’s funny but it’s also indicative of a changing face in the community, not sure if for better or for worse.
Castlemaine is lovely! I'm in Kyneton. Wonderful region. But yeah, people like us are changing it.
Thank you for reading Kohler's essay and your reflections on it, Astrid. What you describe of Kohler's argument -- that no one will manage a reduction in house prices, therefore incomes need to increase to make housing more affordable -- is really infuriating. The most pernicious feature of housing policy in Australia over decades has been the treatment of housing as a financial asset, and a suitable vehicle for financial speculation. Lisa Adkins et al put this argument far better than me in The Asset Economy, an absolute must read on housing and inequality. Australia of course isn't unique in this, but it sure is competitive in the field. Nothing will fundamentally improve until we recognise housing as a human right. We desperately need policy reform to remove incentives to hoard and profit from constrained housing supply.
'Infuriating' is the perfect word.
I will look up 'The Asset Economy', thank you for the recommendation!
I am in my 50s and a beneficiary of the housing booms of previous decades. We have always lived in places we could afford and have not over-extended ourselves, but what we could afford definitely improved over time. We have 3 children in their 20s who cannot afford to buy. We lent the eldest one money and will do the same for the others when they are ready.
I feel pain about this decision. I understand the deep inequality that is happening in Australia. I know they are "privileged". I also know it changed their life.
There are no easy or short term answers. Ultimately Australia has to get off the addictive roundabout of high household debt, overconsumption and an inflated property market.
I really appreciate your analysis Astrid and would love to see your article published more widely. It's a great read.
Thanks Kath. Everything in the housing market is fraught. Absolutely everything.