A recent survey conducted by nine.com.au has revealed significant scepticism among Australians regarding the major political parties’ capacity to address the ongoing housing crisis. With the election between Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese looming, nearly 80 per cent of respondents voiced doubt over the effectiveness of both Labor’s and the Coalition’s housing policies.
Many readers expressed frustration, asserting that continuing to vote for either party would yield no meaningful change. One participant highlighted how the affordability crisis has forced her adult children to remain living at home, which has increased household expenses. Another reader noted a willingness to accept substantial losses in property values if it would make homes affordable for future generations.
The Coalition proposes a scheme aimed at first-time homeowners, allowing mortgage interest on new builds to be tax-deductible, potentially saving them around $12,000 annually. In contrast, Labor has introduced a plan enabling them to buy homes with as little as a five per cent deposit, with the government guaranteeing part of the loan. They also plan to invest $10 billion to construct 100,000 homes for first-time buyers should they secure re-election.
Participants also felt that the campaign trail has neglected critical issues, such as cost of living, energy policy, homelessness, and domestic violence. Interestingly, despite recent international trade tensions, only a small fraction—13 per cent—felt that Donald Trump’s tariffs would influence their voting decisions.
On a lighter note, the survey revealed a playful debate around the ‘democracy sausage,’ with many respondents favouring it served in a slice of bread rather than a roll, while some even suggested abandoning the term altogether, calling it embarrassing.
This feedback reflects a yearning for effective solutions to the housing crisis and a desire for political discourse to address the pressing social issues affecting Australians today. The sentiments captured in this survey underline a growing disillusionment towards traditional political options, as citizens actively seek alternatives that can genuinely address their concerns.