Featured
Cut immigration to 200,000 to improve housing affordability: AMP
The level of immigration must be cut to less than half its current 500,000 level to avoid overwhelming efforts to boost supply, says AMP chief economist Shane Oliver.
- Nila Sweeney
New housing starts plunge 23pc as biggest builders struggle
The worst has passed for Australia’s home builders, but it’s not clear whether the demand is there to get the sector moving again.
- Michael Bleby
The housing game – who’s in it for the money?
Australia is adopting a new policy of carrots as well as sticks to get states building more homes. But while money helps, the biggest motivator is a changing political environment.
- Michael Bleby
Affordable housing mandates would backfire, developers say
As Australia’s largest states gear up to reform their planning systems, there’s a battle under way over how far the changes will go.
- Michael Bleby
Victoria eyeing fast-track housing applications, Daniel Andrews says
Developers, who say planning hurdles are the biggest obstacle to housing, are also wary about any new scheme, fearing it could raise costs.
- Michael Bleby
September 2023
Tim Gurner deeply sorry for ‘wrong’ comments about tradies, job losses
The developer and Rich Lister has broken his silence to apologise to tradies for the “wrong” comments he made calling for job losses to improve productivity.
- Larry Schlesinger
- Opinion
- Jobs
Before crucifying Tim Gurner, consider some facts
The property developer has been condemned for wanting higher unemployment, but monetary policy has the same objective.
- Aaron Patrick
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Jobs data brings good news for Tim Gurner (and the RBA)
Cartoon villain Tim Gurner is a long way from getting the jobs ‘pain’ he wants. But he can take solace in emerging signs of labour market slackness.
- James Thomson
‘He didn’t mean you’: Manager to staff at Gurner’s wellness business
Staff at the Rich Lister’s anti-ageing network Saint Haven have been told comments about “arrogance” in the employment market were “in no way directed at our teams”.
- Mark Di Stefano
Backlash on Gurner for entitled workers claims – but he’s not alone
US Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was among those who criticised the millionaire property developer’s comments about employees’ desire to work, but mining industry veteran Andrew Michelmore says he has a point.
- Euan Black
Gurner got his start with loans from his boss, grandfather
Gurner’s comments have gone viral – a mask-off moment for the property industry.
- Mark Di Stefano
‘Disgusting’ and ‘entitled’: MPs slam Gurner’s call for job losses
Politicians from both sides, and US left-wing icon Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have slammed billionaire Tim Gurner’s comments about unemployment needing to rise.
- Michael Read
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Property summit shows there is no quick fix for housing crisis
The sentiment at The Australian Financial Review Property Summit was that the political and economic headaches of the housing market will not end quickly.
- The AFR View
- Updated
- Property tax
Developers scoff at 1.2m new homes target
Veteran developer Nigel Satterley said Australia could build only 600,000 to 650,000 over the set time frame ‘if we’re lucky’.
- Updated
- Michael Bleby
Neighbours warn buyers: We’ll oppose any changes to single family zoning on our street
Property specialists urge state governments to reform planning rules as an immediate step towards tackling the crisis.
- Nila Sweeney
Metricon, big builders ‘through the cyclone’: Nigel Satterley
Big home builders like Metricon and ABN Group have survived the cyclone that hit the sector and are back writing profitable business, says Nigel Satterley.
- Larry Schlesinger
Medcraft calls on APRA to link mortgage serviceability buffer to cycle
The former ASIC chairman said a mortgage repayment buffer of 3 per cent did not make sense given how interest rates can swing.
- Campbell Kwan and James Eyers
Jobless rate needs to jump to fix housing: Gurner
The billionaire developer says poor productivity, a sclerotic planning system in Sydney and high taxes are holding back more housing supply and lower prices.
- Larry Schlesinger
‘We need pain in the economy’: Tim Gurner on productivity and BTR
Property developer Tim Gurner reckons build-to-rent and planning still have a long way to go in Australia – and employees need to be reminded of who is boss.
AustralianSuper splashes $2.5b on data centres
The country’s largest superannuation fund has invested in Vantage Data Centers alongside its largest shareholder, DigitalBridge.
- Larry Schlesinger
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Something strange is happening in the housing market
Contradictory forces are buffeting the sector, from a slowing economy and poor supply to immigration. But will the lagged effect of rate rises prove all-powerful?
- James Thomson
- Exclusive
- Property market
Build to rent needs institutional investment, housing minister says
The government’s comments are welcome, but critics say it has done little to create certainty or clarity for investors with reforms already announced.
- Michael Bleby and Nila Sweeney
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
What Andrew Pridham learnt from 30 years of crises
The veteran banker says the current property downturn is nothing like the GFC or the early 1990s recession. But three key lessons from those periods apply.
- James Thomson
Australia to fall 160,000 homes short of 1.2m target: Master Builders
The lobby group is keen to use touted state-federal co-operation to bring in reforms that will reduce development hurdles.
- Michael Bleby
- Opinion
- Opinion
Why it’s so hard to rent or buy a home
It only gets harder for Australians to rent or purchase homes. Governments are now focused on the need to do more to help chronic undersupply. Will it work?
- Jennifer Hewett