Planning Minister Justin Madden today writes about critics exhibiting cultural snobbery towards sprawling suburbs. He goes on to discuss the rationality behind last week's expansion: Releasing land for homes in Melbourne's west and north will allow for development...
BLOG: Commentary
Speed Renting tonight
If you have a housing crisis of your own, Speed Renting is a fast paced event to widen your options. Who wants to be stuck indoors over winter with a dodgy home atmosphere prevailing? Meet over a dozen people who have either a spare room or are looking for a room....
Tax experts talk our way
photo credit: ViaMoi Re the AFTS Tax Forum in Melbourne late last week, a number of articles came out highlighting points favourable to our cause. Tim Colebatch writes in Scrap Negative Gearing: The review, chaired by Treasury secretary Ken Henry, is due to deliver...
Hudson on Iceland’s GFC
Brumby panders to land bankers yet again
The Brumby-Madden announcement to increase Melbourne by the equivalent size of Canberra is exasperating. 100,000 vacant sites already exist in Melbourne in areas already serviced by infrastructure (according to the recent census). The government has failed us...
English Political Insights
Henry Review Exclusions
The Business Council of Australia wants to raise GST in return for a halving of corporate tax rates in its latest Henry Review submission. This will increase the regressive rate of taxation upon the less privileged. With effective corporate tax rates at barely 5% due...
Mr Shiller: Land Price v Value
photo credit: SnaPsi xyzzy The highly regarded Robert Shiller writes: HOUSE prices in the US have been falling for nearly three years, and the decline could continue for some time. Even the US Government has projected price decreases next year. As a baseline, the...
Even chain stores are pushing for cheaper rents
photo credit: smooshmasterflex But will they be able to wrestle with, as Winston Churchill once put it, 'the mother of all monopolies, the landlord'? This will be a fascinating battle between David (chain stores...sorry I still can't bring myself to type the co name)...
Lost Vegas
Timely when local current affairs talk about 20,000 homeless whilst 20,000 vacant houses are holding these people to ransom In Lost Vegas.