Thu May 01 07:19:04 UTC 2025: ## Housing Crisis Dominates Australian Election as Voters Face Sky-High Prices
**Sydney, Australia –** Australia’s national election on Saturday is being overshadowed by a deepening housing affordability crisis, with soaring property prices and a critical shortage of rental accommodation topping voters’ concerns. The issue is impacting Australians across the age spectrum, from young professionals to retirees.
59-year-old Mary, a former postal worker, exemplifies the struggle. Receiving a meagre pension and relying on sporadic work, she cannot afford rent, despite working and having been on a lengthy social housing waiting list. Her story highlights the desperation felt by many facing unaffordable housing.
Sydney, ranked the second least-affordable city globally, underscores the severity of the problem. A household needs to earn approximately AU$280,000 annually to afford the median house price of AU$1.4 million. This stark reality is driving the election narrative, with both major parties – the incumbent Labor Party and the Liberal-National Coalition – presenting housing policies.
While Labor has promised to build 100,000 homes and increase financial support, and the Coalition has focused on boosting construction apprenticeships and infrastructure, critics argue neither party adequately addresses the root causes. Both have also targeted foreign buyers and immigration in their policies.
Economists point to a critical lack of housing supply as the primary issue, exacerbated by record population growth and a decline in social housing construction. A significant backlog of 169,000 households are currently waiting for public housing. This disproportionately affects older women, who often have smaller pensions than men.
Experts highlight a range of contributing factors, including NIMBYism (Not In My Backyard) attitudes hindering new developments, a shortage of tradespeople, and the controversial negative gearing tax break for property investors. Labor previously pledged to scale back negative gearing but later abandoned the proposal.
Advocacy groups like Everybody’s Home and Better Renting criticize both major parties for failing to take bold action. They advocate for increased social housing and nationally consistent rental laws to protect tenants. Renters themselves express frustration at being largely ignored by politicians and policymakers, highlighting the need for policies that acknowledge renting as a legitimate and long-term housing option. The election outcome will significantly impact the future of housing affordability in Australia.
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