Answers to Questions

Ghosh argued that the housing crisis affected ordinary Australians rather than investors, emphasising the need for housing security. Ghosh defended government tax changes as measures to reduce investor demand and stabilise prices for owner-occupiers. Ghosh criticised the previous capital gains tax discount for worsening housing affordability and increasing reliance on parental assistance for first-home buyers.

Collins criticised the government's focus on redistribution, arguing it was harming household wealth and aspirations. Collins compared current economic conditions to the downturns of the 1990s, claiming the government was ignoring the reality of falling confidence and stalled construction. Collins asserted that the government lacked a plan to improve productivity and was using population growth to mask poor economic performance.

Grogan defended the government's record, citing a commitment of $47 billion to housing and an increase in building approvals. Grogan highlighted specific infrastructure projects in South Australia that had unlocked thousands of new homes. Grogan argued that the government was rebalancing the market to prioritise homes for living rather than wealth generation, contrasting this with the previous government's lack of action.

Blyth argued that government announcements did not equate to delivered housing outcomes, pointing to persistent inflation and declining real wages. Blyth claimed that productivity had not grown in any year under the current government and that businesses were struggling with rising costs. Blyth also criticised the five per cent deposit scheme, stating it had left some young Australians with negative equity.