The Albanese government’s handling of Australia’s housing crisis is once again under the spotlight, as rising discontent spills onto the streets and into public debate.
Over the weekend, thousands turned out in protests across major cities, voicing frustration over surging house prices, the impact of record immigration, and the government’s controversial 5% deposit scheme for first home buyers. Demonstrators said they feared for their children’s future, with home ownership slipping further out of reach.
Fresh data showing house prices rose again in August has further fuelled the anger. Australia now ranks among the most inflated housing markets in the world, with affordability worsening despite years of promises from both major parties. Critics argue that successive government policies have deliberately propped up the market, inflating values rather than tackling affordability.
Concerns of conflict of interest remain a flashpoint. Many federal and state politicians are heavily invested in the housing market, raising questions about whether they are truly willing to take meaningful action.
By contrast, countries like Canada, New Zealand and the US have all seen significant price moderation over the past two years, driven by aggressive government policies aimed at cooling overheated property markets.
Still, some argue that rising housing prices increase the wealth of homeowners, boosting overall household balance sheets. Others say this comes at the expense of younger Australians and future generations locked out of the market.
To capture the breadth of public opinion, we have launched an online poll inviting Australians to rate the Albanese government’s performance on the housing crisis.
How do you think the government is handling the crisis? Options range from Excellent to Terrible.
The survey is now live, located in the left sidebar on our website and beneath articles for those on mobile view. Participation is limited to Australian IP addresses to ensure results reflect the national mood.
