Rates are down (Elinor still can’t afford a house)

Dollars & Sense

Rate cuts are great, but the Government needs to make sure that housing investors aren’t the main beneficiaries.

On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Matt Grudnoff joins Elinor to discuss how the Government could help first home-buyers by restricting the ability of investors to borrow, what the fuss is about ‘unrealised gains’, and why the Government’s proposed superannuation tax changes are “a good first step.”

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 29 May 2025 and things may have changed since recording.

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Host: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff

Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek

Show notes:

A simple reform to help owner-occupiers compete with investors in the housing market by Matt Grudnoff, the Australia Institute (May 2025)

The super tax debate is divorced from reality – and more proof that Australia’s tax system is built for the rich by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2025)

Super hysterical: the ludicrous beat-up over superannuation tax changes, Follow the Money (May 2025)

Macro reforms for housing affordability by Matt Grudnoff, the Australia Institute (May 2025)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

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Chapters

1. Rates are down (Elinor still can’t afford a house) (00:00:00)

2. Rate cuts are good, but... (00:01:19)

3. Restricting investor borrowing (00:03:09)

4. Superannuation tax concessions (00:11:54)

5. Unrealised gains (00:18:42)