- Policy forum today will feature key political and industry leaders
- 42 key policy areas have been identified among five main categories
- The latest Housing Affordability Report highlighted the need for a long-term plan
Today, the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) will host a policy forum in Darwin, titled Getting Real, which will be sponsored by realestate.com.au.
As part of this forum, REIA will meet with key political and industry leaders and discuss key policy ideas surrounding the supply of Australian real estate, including homelessness, affordability and sustainability.
42 key policy areas have been identified, falling under five main umbrellas:
- Ensuring the supply of real estate in Australia
- Homes for all Australians
- Real estate in both the cities and regions
- Sustainable real estate
- “Bringing it all together to ensure successful real estate agencies”
REIA President, Adrian Kelly, expressed concerns that housing in Australia has become a political football, with a league featuring matches between public versus private sector, state versus federal governments, along with wealthy versus the rest, he said.
“Sadly, too often housing has become a polarising issue and this should not be the case – Australian customers – our clients – deserve rational and fact-based approaches to property policy,” said Mr Kelly.
“REIA has long held the view that improving housing supply will address overall affordability and that Governments can contribute by refining approval times for development application, reducing the cost of the development application process, rezoning reform and land release programs.”
Adrian Kelly, REIA President
Mr Kelly also referred to the REIA’s latest Housing Affordability Report that he said highlighted the need for a long-term plan to address supply and housing affordability.
He argued such a plan is crucial for all parties in property transactions.
“COVID-19 has [shown] us it is time to get real about issues affecting Australian real estate,” he added.
By undertaking an audit on existing policies and trends, he said the REIA was able to develop Getting Real and focus on strategic issues.
“Other key objectives of Getting Real include the creation of campaign resources for Real Estate Institutes to tailor for their Boards, membership and region and to highlight the role of the Australian real estate industry in helping Australians into their homes and the important role we play in city and regional economies.”
