This paper reviews the housing cost data available in Australia, and derives and presents series of real price indexes for 1979-92 and real rent indexes for 1980-92 for most of the capital cities. It shows a dramatic increase in the annual cost of owning relative to renting, particularly for younger Australians.

Bourassa and Hendershott use data from the 1986 Income Distribution Survey in Australia to argue a case for the taxation of imputed rent on owner occupied housing.

Smith's rent gap theory of gentrification has inspired a substantial amount of critical attention as well as several empirical studies. None of these studies addresses a fundamental problem with the rent gap hypothesis - namely, its dependence on a distinction between actual and potential land rent that does not contribute to the explanation of changes...

Through a discussion of the social and political circumstances and debate surrounding government policy regarding landlord/tenant relations, housing quality and supply, and owner occupancy; this paper argues that policy evolution is irregular and a product of the exigencies of the political process.