Barbara Francis & Rus Littleson

Is 2024 a year to dream that the impossible might happen?

From housing crisis to hope?

29 Nov 2023

Now that Victoria has both a new Premier and a new Minister for Consumer Affairs, can we dare to hope or dream there will be some meaningful changes during the first term of this new government?

Columns in Melbourne

Greens pressure on short-stay levy

1 Nov 2023

The Victorian Greens have written to the Treasurer Tim Pallas saying they will oppose Victoria’s proposed short-stay levy unless they get substantial changes to the state government’s new housing policy.

Columns in Southbank

Cash without the cure

27 Sep 2023

Victoria’s proposed tax on short-stays will generate cash for the state government while ignoring internationally recognised solutions to tackle problems with the industry.

Columns in Southbank

Short stays “out of control”

30 Aug 2023

The woeful inadequacy of the state’s short-stay legislation remains in the spotlight, with heightened tension in municipalities throughout the state.

Columns in Melbourne

Renaissance of reason

2 Aug 2023

The We Live Here Forum on housing affordability and short-term rentals showed that there are solutions to the crisis, and that people with different perspectives can work together to achieve results

Columns in Southbank

Open forum on affordable housing and short-term rentals

28 Jun 2023

You are invited to a We Live Here forum, the first after a long, pandemic-induced hiatus.

Columns in Southbank

Suburban councils take the lead

31 May 2023

The City of Melbourne is falling behind suburban councils in the race to prevent the city being overrun by short stays.

Columns in Melbourne

Built to rent and ruin

3 May 2023

An inner-city apartment resident has written to We Live Here with a horror story of dealing with “visiting drunks lacking self-awareness” in a neighbouring property.

Columns in Southbank

Aurora-gate exposes inadequate laws

29 Mar 2023

The battle for the owners’ corporation at Aurora Melbourne Central has underlined the woeful inadequacies of Victoria’s strata laws and VCAT tribunal system.