Australia’s economy is dominated by sectors which derive significant revenue from “economic rents” – or unearned income.
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Is there really a housing supply crisis?
Housing supply is often touted as the one and only solution to unaffordable housing. It is a favourite topic of both the development industry and many government inquiries (including the current Inquiry Into Housing Affordability and Supply).
Land Price Increase = 86 Years’ Banking Profits
Cross Posted from John Menadue's Pearls & Irritations As our federal politicians look the other way whilst housing prices continue to escalate, a national record reminds why this issue won’t go away. Friday’s national accounts revealed a record land price increase of...
Rezoning Windfall Gains Tax – A Win for Victoria!
We are thrilled that the Victorian Parliament has passed a new Rezoning Windfall Gains Tax, as it's a policy we have supported for many years. As part of our efforts to support this tax, we wrote a Briefing Note to decision makers about its potential community gains....
Working Together: Is Shared Equity our pathway out of the housing crisis?
The media is again full of chatter about the housing affordability crisis in Australia. Property markets have gone on a tear as mortgage rates bottom at levels close to matching inflation. Governments are subsidising a building boom to save the economy from COVID, and the resulting collapse in immigration.
NSW and the holy grail of transport funding
In July 2021, Prosper was privileged to host a zoom webinar by Joe Langley, a global expert on value capture mechanisms for transport. Joe's talk was based on an article he wrote on the ongoing developer contribution reform effort in NSW. The full article is...
130th Henry George Commemorative Address
This event was held on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, over Zoom. We all want to know “what’s next?” after the pandemic. The right to a roof over our head (and some land upon which to stand) has been especially highlighted by this global crisis. Who better to make sense...
2020 Land tax reform highlights
The year of 2020 was a shocking year for many reasons, from the bushfires to a global pandemic. But there were some positives too, especially for land tax reform. Here are some of the developments that should give us some cautious optimism for the years ahead. NSW’s...
Tell him he’s dreaming: Perrottet’s stamp duty reform fails cost-benefit
First published on MacroBusiness, read our summary and report. The Thodey Review’s draft report is right to place land tax at the centre of its vision for state tax reform. Replacing stamp duty with what the Review called “the states’ best tax lever” has the...
When the economy stops, the wealth rises to the top.
When the economy slams shut, the market exposes those who don’t have to work for a living. Whilst the media focuses on those thrown into 4.30am Centrelink queues, at the other extreme are those who benefit come rain, hail or shine. Such privilege is reserved for...