Housing affordability is back in the headlines as the Albanese government announces its revamped 5 per cent deposit scheme for first home buyers, fast-tracked to October. But is this really new policy, or just political spin on an old Labor program? We unpack how low-deposit schemes in Australia, the UK, Canada, and New Zealand have repeatedly inflated housing prices without fixing supply, and why restrictive zoning, slow planning approvals, and the absence of social housing investment are the real roadblocks to affordable homes. Global success stories from Vienna and Singapore, where large-scale public housing and anti-speculation measures have worked, should be implemented here and government should threat housing as a human right instead of an investment vehicle.
Meanwhile, the Albanese government has expelled Iran’s ambassador – the first ambassador expelled from Australia in over 80 years – over alleged links to synagogue fires in Melbourne and Sydney. But with no evidence presented, and a long history of ASIO’s intelligence failures, is this another case of politicised security spin? We discuss the contradictions of punishing Iran while Israel avoids any diplomatic sanction despite its ongoing war crimes and the killing of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom. What’s really driving this sudden move against Tehran, and could it be linked to Australia’s upcoming recognition of Palestine at the United Nations?
And inside the Coalition, the climate wars rage on. The Liberal Party is tearing itself apart once again over the net zero by 2050 policy, with Nationals MPs, egged on by Gina Rinehart, demanding the target be scrapped altogether. Liberal branches in Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia have already dumped net zero, and leader Sussan Ley is under increasing pressure as Sky News and the conservative media sharpen their knives. We look at how corporate Australia has already moved on, why opposing climate action remains political poison in key urban seats, and how the Coalition’s self-sabotage all but guarantees Labor a free ride at the next election.
Song listing:
‘Even Better Than The Real Thing’, A 440 VS U2 instrumental remix.
‘Man of Constant Sorrow’, Skeewiff.
‘The Last Goodbye’, Odesza.
‘Get Back’, The Beatles (remix).
