Tag Archives: housing

Young Economists to debate housing affordability measures

There is an interesting upcoming online debate on measures designed to improve housing affordability among young economists on Thursday 16 September 2021, to be hosted by the Young Economists Network of the Economic Society of Australia (ESA). Here’s the blurb:  … Continue reading

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Housing approvals at record high nationwide, but Qld’s historic high was in mid-1990s

Soaring property prices and surging building approvals highlight a residential property market super-charged by record-low interest rates, returning expatriates, and a Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO). CoreLogic has estimated property prices were up 2.2% nationwide in May and up 2.0% … Continue reading

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Six houses, alike in dignity… not much else – guest post by Brendan Markey-Towler

This guest post by my good friend and fellow Queensland economist Dr Brendan Markey-Towler makes some excellent points regarding Queensland’s economic recovery from the COVID-recession – e.g. consumption spending has been goosed up by government benefits and, apart from in … Continue reading

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Line of 200 people for Gaythorne open house evidence of relative lack of suitable properties in Brisbane – partly due to restrictive zoning policies

Historic low interest rates and easy access to housing finance, combined with a relative lack of suitable properties in Brisbane’s middle-ring suburbs due to zoning policies, have combined to create an odd sight at suburban Gaythorne on Brisbane’s North-side today, … Continue reading

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Good news super guarantee hike could be scrapped

The long-awaited retirement income policy review report from former IMF Director and Treasury deputy secretary Mike Callaghan is looking good based on reporting by the Financial Review: Increasing the compulsory superannuation rate could disadvantage low-income earners and cut workers’ lifetime … Continue reading

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The FIRE movement with Dr Di Johnson – Economics Explained ep. 24

My latest Economics Explained episode on the FIRE movement, in which I interview Griffith Business School lecturer Dr Di Johnson, is now available. FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. By early, proponents typically mean retiring in your 30s or … Continue reading

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Personal finance with Dr Di Johnson episode of Economics Explained

The latest episode of my Economics Explained podcast explores the very important topic of personal finance. There is growing interest in personal finance, as evidenced by the stellar sales of Scott Pape’s Barefoot Investor book, which gets several mentions in … Continue reading

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BCC should consider economic consequences of townhouse ban

Yesterday, Brisbane City Council closed its consultation process for its proposed ban of townhouses and multi-unit developments in areas zoned low-density residential, such as Chapel Hill and Mount Gravatt (e.g. see map below). The YIMBY QLD group, led by Natalie … Continue reading

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Good & bad news on Qld economy – avoids worst effects of property bust, but remains reliant on gov’t spending

Queensland state and local general government capital expenditures increased 13% in March quarter, rising to $2.79 billion, helping Queensland to record 0.5% growth in State Final Demand, the second highest growth rate in Australia (second to Tasmania with 0.7%). Part … Continue reading

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QEW week that was video – coal, negative gearing & the economic outlook

Posts from me and other commentators mentioned or alluded to in this video include: Housing industry round table with Treasurer Frydenberg at Parliament House Latest Qld wages growth and Qld labour market summary from Nick Behrens WTF happened to BNE-CNS? … Continue reading

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