Peter Tulip
@petertulip.bsky.social
Chief economist at Centre for Independent Studies
Pinned
Peter Tulip
@petertulip.bsky.social
· Nov 22
www.cis.org.au
This paper summarises what I see as the key points in the Australian housing debate, as of February 2024.
www.cis.org.au/wp-content/u... 1/8
www.cis.org.au/wp-content/u... 1/8
Reposted by Peter Tulip
Shout out to the recent upgrades to Crown St, Surry Hills. City of Sydney removed several car parks in favour of landscaped outdoor dining areas. Some were turning temporary ones from COVID permanent, others are new. It's a really great area to walk along and enjoy.
Here's some before and after:
Here's some before and after:
November 25, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Shout out to the recent upgrades to Crown St, Surry Hills. City of Sydney removed several car parks in favour of landscaped outdoor dining areas. Some were turning temporary ones from COVID permanent, others are new. It's a really great area to walk along and enjoy.
Here's some before and after:
Here's some before and after:
It's not the regulations that are to blame in most of these examples, it's poor enforcement.
We don't need to change the building code, for example; we need to incentivise thorough credible certification. Perhaps bonds would help. 1/2
We don't need to change the building code, for example; we need to incentivise thorough credible certification. Perhaps bonds would help. 1/2
Good regulation is good for productivity growth. Lack of regulation is driving inefficiency.
Poorly regulated building markets led to debacles like the cracking in Opal Towers and flammable cladding being expensively replaced across the country
My column
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Poorly regulated building markets led to debacles like the cracking in Opal Towers and flammable cladding being expensively replaced across the country
My column
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Cutting red tape shows that when we ‘trust the market’ taxpayers usually end up footing the bill
The point.com.au
thepoint.com.au
November 22, 2025 at 4:06 AM
It's not the regulations that are to blame in most of these examples, it's poor enforcement.
We don't need to change the building code, for example; we need to incentivise thorough credible certification. Perhaps bonds would help. 1/2
We don't need to change the building code, for example; we need to incentivise thorough credible certification. Perhaps bonds would help. 1/2
Reposted by Peter Tulip
The Symbolic Politics of Housing: voter dislike of the very actors who could ameliorate the housing shortage they suffer from probably exacerbates it.
osf.io/preprints/os...
osf.io/preprints/os...
OSF
osf.io
November 18, 2025 at 2:48 AM
The Symbolic Politics of Housing: voter dislike of the very actors who could ameliorate the housing shortage they suffer from probably exacerbates it.
osf.io/preprints/os...
osf.io/preprints/os...
If you are an ambitious politician looking for tomorrow's issue to champion, @scottwiener.bsky.social, California's top YIMBY legislator, provides a good model to follow.
1/ If you're interested in housing and the debates within the Democratic party about how much is needed and how to get it built, you need to read this profile of CA NIMBY slayer @scottwiener.bsky.social by @jetjocko.bsky.social.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Scott Wiener Defeated California’s NIMBYs. Can He Fix America’s Housing Crisis?
By running for Nancy Pelosi's seat, he's putting the "Abundance" theory to the test.
www.motherjones.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:25 AM
If you are an ambitious politician looking for tomorrow's issue to champion, @scottwiener.bsky.social, California's top YIMBY legislator, provides a good model to follow.
NIMBYs in Brighton.
This is why housing is unaffordable.
This is why housing is unaffordable.
Bayside residents are rallying against plans to introduce buildings up to 16 storeys in the area.
Residents marching in Brighton on Sunday argued the ill-conceived plan would overrun their suburbs’ population without adequate infrastructure or their consent.
Video: Cassandra Morgan and Sophie Boyd
Residents marching in Brighton on Sunday argued the ill-conceived plan would overrun their suburbs’ population without adequate infrastructure or their consent.
Video: Cassandra Morgan and Sophie Boyd
November 16, 2025 at 7:22 AM
NIMBYs in Brighton.
This is why housing is unaffordable.
This is why housing is unaffordable.
Supporters of affordable housing requirements need to point to examples where it has worked. Because there is a lot of evidence of it being counter-productive.
In 2018, then-Mayor Ada Colau called Barcelona’s new 30% inclusionary housing requirement for projects over 600m^2 a “paradigm shift,” making housing “a right and not a commodity.” It was supposed to produce 330 affordable units a year. The reality: just 31 affordable apartments in all these years.
Cuando se ha aprobó esta medida dije repetidamente que iba a ser un fracaso y que no construirían nada de vivienda asequible. Se ha probado en mil sitios y no funciona.
Acerté. www.lavanguardia.com/local/barcel...
Acerté. www.lavanguardia.com/local/barcel...
November 13, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Supporters of affordable housing requirements need to point to examples where it has worked. Because there is a lot of evidence of it being counter-productive.
Reposted by Peter Tulip
Planning in NSW just got a bit better.
What have they changed? Read here: www.sydney.yimby.au/blog/plannin...
What have they changed? Read here: www.sydney.yimby.au/blog/plannin...
November 12, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Planning in NSW just got a bit better.
What have they changed? Read here: www.sydney.yimby.au/blog/plannin...
What have they changed? Read here: www.sydney.yimby.au/blog/plannin...
Reposted by Peter Tulip
3-storey townhouses and apartments should be permitted on all residential land in all capital cities to help fix Australia’s housing crisis.
Building more homes will create cheaper housing and more productive cities. Our new report shows how. buff.ly/NfAM6C7 #auspol
Building more homes will create cheaper housing and more productive cities. Our new report shows how. buff.ly/NfAM6C7 #auspol
November 5, 2025 at 10:01 AM
3-storey townhouses and apartments should be permitted on all residential land in all capital cities to help fix Australia’s housing crisis.
Building more homes will create cheaper housing and more productive cities. Our new report shows how. buff.ly/NfAM6C7 #auspol
Building more homes will create cheaper housing and more productive cities. Our new report shows how. buff.ly/NfAM6C7 #auspol
Reposted by Peter Tulip
'Housing in Australia’s cities is now among the least affordable in the world. At the heart of the problem is the fact we just haven’t built enough homes to meet rising demand.'
Catch our latest op-ed in The New Daily:
Catch our latest op-ed in The New Daily:
How planning stops more housing - and how to fix it - Grattan Institute
Planning regulations limit the density of our major cities. But changing planning restrictions could help fix the housing crisis.
grattan.edu.au
November 7, 2025 at 12:37 AM
'Housing in Australia’s cities is now among the least affordable in the world. At the heart of the problem is the fact we just haven’t built enough homes to meet rising demand.'
Catch our latest op-ed in The New Daily:
Catch our latest op-ed in The New Daily:
Greens, socialists and other leftist opponents of zoning liberalisation insist on big spending on social housing instead.
Their mistake is viewing upzoning as an alternative to social housing.
No, it is a precondition.
Their mistake is viewing upzoning as an alternative to social housing.
No, it is a precondition.
Zoning reform measures have divided tenant advocates in New York. Yet loosening the city’s anti-housing regime is essential if we ever want to build social housing at scale.
You Can’t Have Social Housing Without Building Housing
Zoning reform measures have divided tenant advocates in New York. Yet loosening the city’s anti-housing regime is essential if we ever want to build social housing at scale.
jacobin.com
November 2, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Greens, socialists and other leftist opponents of zoning liberalisation insist on big spending on social housing instead.
Their mistake is viewing upzoning as an alternative to social housing.
No, it is a precondition.
Their mistake is viewing upzoning as an alternative to social housing.
No, it is a precondition.
Reposted by Peter Tulip
Banning AirBnB is a case where the “abundance” framing is useful.
I get the desire to prioritize residents over visitors in a housing emergency.
But shouldn’t the bigger long-term goal be more housing *and* more hotels? Rather than just managing scarcity?
I get the desire to prioritize residents over visitors in a housing emergency.
But shouldn’t the bigger long-term goal be more housing *and* more hotels? Rather than just managing scarcity?
October 12, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Banning AirBnB is a case where the “abundance” framing is useful.
I get the desire to prioritize residents over visitors in a housing emergency.
But shouldn’t the bigger long-term goal be more housing *and* more hotels? Rather than just managing scarcity?
I get the desire to prioritize residents over visitors in a housing emergency.
But shouldn’t the bigger long-term goal be more housing *and* more hotels? Rather than just managing scarcity?
Reposted by Peter Tulip
Who really benefits from expansive heritage overlays?
They directly increase housing costs for renters and homeowners, but the public benefit is far from clear. It's time to re-evaluate the trade-offs. 👇
They directly increase housing costs for renters and homeowners, but the public benefit is far from clear. It's time to re-evaluate the trade-offs. 👇
October 12, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Who really benefits from expansive heritage overlays?
They directly increase housing costs for renters and homeowners, but the public benefit is far from clear. It's time to re-evaluate the trade-offs. 👇
They directly increase housing costs for renters and homeowners, but the public benefit is far from clear. It's time to re-evaluate the trade-offs. 👇
Apparently some Trotskyists don't like the authors of this column.
Nevertheless, housing policy in Auckland led to a 28% reduction in rent, relative to other NZ cities.
It is foolish not to ask whether other cities around the globe might learn from that.
Nevertheless, housing policy in Auckland led to a 28% reduction in rent, relative to other NZ cities.
It is foolish not to ask whether other cities around the globe might learn from that.
Lessons from planning reform in NZ. For the UK and everyone.
By Former UK Housing Secretary Sir Simon Clarke and NZ housing minister Chris Bishop.
Recommended.
www.express.co.uk/news/politic...
By Former UK Housing Secretary Sir Simon Clarke and NZ housing minister Chris Bishop.
Recommended.
www.express.co.uk/news/politic...
'New Zealand shows how UK can end housing crisis - we must fix fundamentals'
Empty words do not build homes. Supply does. That means freeing up land where people want to live.
www.express.co.uk
October 5, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Apparently some Trotskyists don't like the authors of this column.
Nevertheless, housing policy in Auckland led to a 28% reduction in rent, relative to other NZ cities.
It is foolish not to ask whether other cities around the globe might learn from that.
Nevertheless, housing policy in Auckland led to a 28% reduction in rent, relative to other NZ cities.
It is foolish not to ask whether other cities around the globe might learn from that.
When the electorate realises that stimulating demand worsens affordability, the Federal government will need to do something to boost housing supply.
And not just social housing. Something for the 96% of households who live in market housing.
And not just social housing. Something for the 96% of households who live in market housing.
October 5, 2025 at 3:50 AM
When the electorate realises that stimulating demand worsens affordability, the Federal government will need to do something to boost housing supply.
And not just social housing. Something for the 96% of households who live in market housing.
And not just social housing. Something for the 96% of households who live in market housing.
Lessons from planning reform in NZ. For the UK and everyone.
By Former UK Housing Secretary Sir Simon Clarke and NZ housing minister Chris Bishop.
Recommended.
www.express.co.uk/news/politic...
By Former UK Housing Secretary Sir Simon Clarke and NZ housing minister Chris Bishop.
Recommended.
www.express.co.uk/news/politic...
'New Zealand shows how UK can end housing crisis - we must fix fundamentals'
Empty words do not build homes. Supply does. That means freeing up land where people want to live.
www.express.co.uk
October 5, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Lessons from planning reform in NZ. For the UK and everyone.
By Former UK Housing Secretary Sir Simon Clarke and NZ housing minister Chris Bishop.
Recommended.
www.express.co.uk/news/politic...
By Former UK Housing Secretary Sir Simon Clarke and NZ housing minister Chris Bishop.
Recommended.
www.express.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Peter Tulip
I'll be in Brisbane next week! As part of my trip, I'll be hosting a more informal event open to anyone at the Queensland University of Technology on Tuesday, October 7th. Details below:
October 3, 2025 at 2:28 AM
I'll be in Brisbane next week! As part of my trip, I'll be hosting a more informal event open to anyone at the Queensland University of Technology on Tuesday, October 7th. Details below:
Reposted by Peter Tulip
Detailed figures for the freaks out there. I'll be getting more of these on different configurations and include the other four Greater Brisbane councils over the next few weeks.
October 3, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Detailed figures for the freaks out there. I'll be getting more of these on different configurations and include the other four Greater Brisbane councils over the next few weeks.
Reposted by Peter Tulip
I've been working with @dbecon.bsky.social to work out some figures on Brisbane's zoning and we started looking at character restrictions.
Within 5km of Brisbane's CBD, a whopping 64% of all residential properties have some kind of character restrictions. That's 57% of land or 2,204 hectares.
Within 5km of Brisbane's CBD, a whopping 64% of all residential properties have some kind of character restrictions. That's 57% of land or 2,204 hectares.
October 3, 2025 at 7:26 AM
I've been working with @dbecon.bsky.social to work out some figures on Brisbane's zoning and we started looking at character restrictions.
Within 5km of Brisbane's CBD, a whopping 64% of all residential properties have some kind of character restrictions. That's 57% of land or 2,204 hectares.
Within 5km of Brisbane's CBD, a whopping 64% of all residential properties have some kind of character restrictions. That's 57% of land or 2,204 hectares.
Reposted by Peter Tulip
Sydney remains ground zero for Australia’s housing crisis.
Our housing policy expert Brendan Coates gives the NSW government credit for acting to get more housing built – and identifies what should happen now.
#auspol #nswpol
grattan.edu.au/news/sydney-...
Our housing policy expert Brendan Coates gives the NSW government credit for acting to get more housing built – and identifies what should happen now.
#auspol #nswpol
grattan.edu.au/news/sydney-...
Sydney remains ground zero for Australia’s housing crisis - Grattan Institute
The NSW government deserves credit for taking steps to get more housing built. Here’s what it should do next.
grattan.edu.au
September 30, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Sydney remains ground zero for Australia’s housing crisis.
Our housing policy expert Brendan Coates gives the NSW government credit for acting to get more housing built – and identifies what should happen now.
#auspol #nswpol
grattan.edu.au/news/sydney-...
Our housing policy expert Brendan Coates gives the NSW government credit for acting to get more housing built – and identifies what should happen now.
#auspol #nswpol
grattan.edu.au/news/sydney-...
"Australia’s five most powerful property people in 2025."
www.afr.com/property/com...
www.afr.com/property/com...
September 25, 2025 at 12:41 AM
"Australia’s five most powerful property people in 2025."
www.afr.com/property/com...
www.afr.com/property/com...
The ACT has legislated housing to be a human right.
Zoning that restricts housing should be considered a denial of human rights. Hopefully it will be outlawed.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
Zoning that restricts housing should be considered a denial of human rights. Hopefully it will be outlawed.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
Solving the housing crisis is a marathon but a new law could be the first step
The ACT government has passed legislation enshrining housing as a human right. What does that mean, and should other states follow?
www.abc.net.au
September 21, 2025 at 7:51 AM
The ACT has legislated housing to be a human right.
Zoning that restricts housing should be considered a denial of human rights. Hopefully it will be outlawed.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
Zoning that restricts housing should be considered a denial of human rights. Hopefully it will be outlawed.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
I spoke at the Victorian Liberal Party State Conference on housing policy.
I argued that the push to allow more housing should be bipartisan.
Here’s my speech: www.spectator.com.au/2025/09/aust...
I argued that the push to allow more housing should be bipartisan.
Here’s my speech: www.spectator.com.au/2025/09/aust...
Australia’s housing push is bipartisan | The Spectator Australia
The Liberal Party has two traditions, conservatism and support for free markets. Normally, those movements are allies, but housing policy is an unusual issue on which they diverge. And so the Liberal…
www.spectator.com.au
September 17, 2025 at 8:40 AM
I spoke at the Victorian Liberal Party State Conference on housing policy.
I argued that the push to allow more housing should be bipartisan.
Here’s my speech: www.spectator.com.au/2025/09/aust...
I argued that the push to allow more housing should be bipartisan.
Here’s my speech: www.spectator.com.au/2025/09/aust...
I discuss housing on @joshzepps's “Uncomfortable Conversations”.
First hour is free on most podcast platforms.
Second hour (tbh, less provocative) requires inexpensive subscription.
uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/p/has-home-o...
First hour is free on most podcast platforms.
Second hour (tbh, less provocative) requires inexpensive subscription.
uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/p/has-home-o...
"Has Home Ownership Become Hereditary?" with Peter Tulip
Why is housing in Australia so unaffordable, and what can be done about it?
uncomfortableconversations.substack.com
September 15, 2025 at 11:41 PM
I discuss housing on @joshzepps's “Uncomfortable Conversations”.
First hour is free on most podcast platforms.
Second hour (tbh, less provocative) requires inexpensive subscription.
uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/p/has-home-o...
First hour is free on most podcast platforms.
Second hour (tbh, less provocative) requires inexpensive subscription.
uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/p/has-home-o...
Victoria allows more homes,
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Victorian Labor targets affluent Melbourne suburbs for rezoning to allow 16-storey apartment towers
Under the plan, the state government will seize planning controls for the designated areas – near train and tram stops – from local councils
www.theguardian.com
September 10, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Victoria allows more homes,
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...