As the Liberal Party desperately searches for a new
minority group to attack, while the Labor Party desperately ducks and
weaves its way to unexpected defeat this election, there is a glaring
topic that is front of mind for 32% of the population.
We need to have a national conversation about renting in Australia.
Of course, we won’t. To say Australia’s political system
is captured by the propertied classes is an understatement. Of the 227
politicians currently serving in Federal parliament, 212 own at least one house.
Put another way, the housing affordability crisis that
currently besets 32% of Australian voters who rent their home, doesn’t
affect 94% of our politicians.
Not only that, but 58% – 133 members of the Federal
parliament – own more than one house. Albanese owns 3, in case you’re
wondering.
We need to talk about the rent
Negative gearing should only apply to people who are treating housing
like it’s a social good. Instead, you’re treating housing like a
speculative asset with no social value. As such, it shouldn’t have any
tax benefits. You want to rent out your house only in the short term?
Fine. But you lose your access to negative gearing. You can look after
yourself, in much the same way you expect your tenants to look after
themselves.
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