Address to the 122nd Annual Henry George Commemorative DinnerThe Royal Society of Victoria, Melbourne 2nd, September 2013 by Saul Eslake An edited audio recording of the presentation was broadcast on this week’s Renegade Economists radio show. Note: The opinions expressed…
photo credit: dcmaster Barry O’Farrell was elected Premier of NSW in March this year. His first budget announced Tuesday raised a storm of protest – not over a realignment of government priorities to his conservative Coalition’s agenda, but on Stamp…
“Two secure jobs and a good deposit are no longer enough to buy a home. First home buyers must make a life-long vow of poverty as well. It is irresponsible to expect such a sacrifice,” Collyer said. “Do not underestimate their anger and frustration at being denied land ownership and its civic benefits.”
Since 1996, residential land prices have raced from 110 per cent of GDP to nearly 220 per cent of GDP. Meanwhile, wages have declined modestly against GDP. “First Home Buyers’ incomes have simply not kept up with the strong rise…
photo credit: itmpa Last week Treasury made public its Red Book – the economic advice it gives to the incoming government. In it, Treasury lays out a big, bold reform agenda. On housing, the Red Book is scathing: “Access to…
The Australian Tax Office has released figures on the extent of negative gearing in Australia ahead of the Henry Tax Review. This is no accident. They are preparing the ground for Ken Henry’s changes. The picture drawn is not…
photo credit: night86mare Fred Harrison will be proven correct with his apt title Boom-Bust 2010. With the Brumby government stepping up to the plate by offering further gravvy to the property lobby train with the $6000 increase in their First…
photo credit: Cosmic Kitty With auction clearance rates plateauing at 54% for the 3rd consecutive weekend, property pundits are doing all they can to avoid doom and gloom perceptions. The market has ‘found a new level’ is the positive spin.…
photo credit: mdumlao98 Prime Minister Rudd’s $10bn ‘economic security strategy’ is another blinkered response. A decade of record economic growth has done little for the aussie battler. Record prices for iron ore have cascaded into the deepest pockets in the…
Saturday’s Age article on Melbourne’s rental growth outstripping all other states is reflective of current government policy at all levels – local, State and Federal. When combined with record immigration levels, property flipping will continue unabated. Prosper Australia spokesman Karl…