Housing News Digest
Housing News Digest
The Tenants' Union Housing News Digest compiles our pick of items from all the latest tenancy and housing media, sent once per week, on Thursdays.
Below is the Digest archive from November 2020 onwards. From time to time you will find additional items in the archive that did not make it into the weekly Digest email. Earlier archives are here, where you can also find additional digests by other organisations.
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Archive
ASIC accused of acting too slowly after Sterling First retiree housing group collapses
Michael Atkins ABC (No paywall)From Perth ... There is increasing scrutiny of ASIC's handling of a failed property scheme after documents revealed complaints were made to the financial watchdog years before the property company collapsed.’
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-26/asic-accused-of-acting-to…
# Australia, Housing market, Landlords and agents, Older people.Michael Heath
World’s Most Housing-Exposed Economy Faces Ultimate Stress Test (No paywall)Australia’s A$7.1 trillion ($5.2 trillion) housing market is facing the ultimate stress test -- the first recession in almost three decades -- and passing with flying colors for now. (Bloomberg)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-22/world-s-most-…
# Australia, Housing market.Please Explain podcast: Should the government prioritise home ownership over increasing superannuation?
Jacqueline Maley The Sydney Morning Herald (Paywall)https://www.smh.com.au/please-explain/please-explain-podcast-should-the-government-prioritise-home-ownership-over-increasing-superannuation-20201124-p56hdz.html
https://www.smh.com.au/please-explain/please-explain-podcast-sho…
# Audio Australia, Home ownership, Older people.Super wars continue as politicians contest housing proposal
Euan Black The New Daily (No paywall)Liberal and Labor MPs have locked horns over whether younger Australians should be given greater access to dip into their superannuation to pay for a housing deposit.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/property/2020/11/24/superannu…
# Hot topic Australia, Home ownership, Older people.Average family to have up to $200,000 less when retiring if super rise blocked
Greg Combet The Sydney Morning Herald (Paywall)Pleasingly the Callaghan review of superannuation released last week concluded that "the system is effective, sound and its costs are broadly sustainable". The review validated the role of compulsory super in helping millions of Australians enjoy a better standard of living in retirement. However, the review has regrettably reopened divisions over the appropriate level of the superannuation guarantee contributions.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/average-family-to-have-u…
# Hot topic Australia, Older people.Supporting Australia’s housing system: modelling pandemic policy responses
Chris Leishman and others AHURI (No paywall)The authors examined the economic literature relating to pandemics and modelled a range of related economic outcomes on employment and unemployment by sector and on the housing outcomes of home owners, private renters, and small investor landlords in Australia from late 2020 and through 2021.
https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/346?utm_source=w…
# Research alert Australia, Rent, Coronavirus COVID-19, Home ownership, Landlords and agents.Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt describes speed of NT remote housing upgrade as a “disgrace”
Jano Gibson ABC (No paywall)Strong criticism from the federal Indigenous Australians Minister about the Northern Territory Government's "slow" and "unacceptable" pace in improving remote housing has forced the Chief Minister to defend his Government's commitment to reducing overcrowding.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-24/nt-commonwealth-stoush-un…
# Australia, Aboriginal renters, Public and community housing, Repairs, Minimum habitability standards.Investing in public housing will help the homeless and the economy
Michael Perusco Michael Perusco The Sydney Morning Herald (Paywall)Governments looking to stimulate the economy aim to create jobs, boost consumer confidence, support industries, or deliver support to our most vulnerable. Sometimes, there are investments and initiatives that do all of the above. The Andrews government’s announcement last weekend that it will invest $5.3 billion to construct more than 12,000 new homes throughout Victoria – including 8200 new social housing homes and replacing 1100 old public housing units – is a historic announcement that will not only create jobs and stimulate our economy, but one that will change thousands of lives.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/victoria/investing-in-public-hou…
# Australia, Public and community housing, Housing affordability.