thegreatdivide wrote on Feb 23^rd, 2026 at 5:55pm:



Do you even understand the meaning of "unique"?

Even if we include "somewhat unique" which means unusual though not strictly true.

"unique(adj.)

c. 1600, "single, solitary," from French unique (16c.), from Latin unicus "only, single, sole, alone of its kind," from unus "one" (from PIE root *oi-no- "one, unique").

The meaning "forming the only one of its kind" is attested from 1610s; erroneous sense of "remarkable, uncommon" is attested from mid-19c. "

https://www.etymonline.com/word/unique

thegreatdivide wrote on Feb 23^rd, 2026 at 5:55pm:



So you do not understand Clapboard is a cheaper construction method than brick.

thegreatdivide wrote on Feb 24^th, 2026 at 11:55am:


No you ignore the cheaper option because it doesn't suit your argument. Even with higher immigration cheaper housing methods lead to lower prices.

You do know that AI has no actual Artificial Intelligence?

It merely follows your directions via you questions and trawls through available papers. Whether they are from someone like you at one end of the scale and someone with knowledge at the other end. BUT it still relies on the questions being posed.

So tell us  - at what point does something lose its "unique" status, if it is more than one? Should it be 3, 5 105? Or is the answer along the lines "how long is a ball of string"


thegreatdivide wrote on Feb 24^th, 2026 at 11:55am:



Ah, so now you are a judge - Always sitting on a case. Not doing anything, just sitting.

lee wrote on Feb 24^th, 2026 at 12:48pm:


There are many reasons for unafforadable housing; and your claim that wooden US houses  is why Oz housing is expensive falls on its face.  Higher  immigration rates are a factor.

Other reasons for Oz 's unafforadbake housing:

(ABC Business)

Former RBA governor Bernie Fraser calls for capital gains tax discount to be scrapped in 'toxic' property debate

He conceded that a "cartel" of vested interests in the economy, including politicians, home owners and investors, would like to keep the status quo.

"Despite that sort of toxic approach to tax changes, I think that a case can be made for doing away with the discount on the gains, capital gains tax, abolishing it altogether," Mr Fraser said in Canberra.

"I believe that that would be a useful step, one of many steps that are required to moving back to an affordable housing market for all Australians."

Mr Fraser acknowledged that scrapping the CGT discount would meet fierce resistance from certain groups.

"I believe it's true that there are some sectors of the community — there is, in fact, what Alan Kohler called a 'cartel' of people who are against changing the tax dealing with the tax changes," Mr Fraser said, referring to Mr Kohler's appearance before the same committee on Monday.

"This cartel, which comprises existing home owners, property developers and, not least, lots of politicians who like to see house prices rise and go on rising, because there are votes in it."

A cartel including lee and FD, for whom self-interest trumps social equity,  and who offer no solutions to the widely acknowleded intergenerational inequity of the current tax arrangements.

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lee being as dumb as FD, even after google explained it: AI "knows" topics via  the mechanics  of AI's chip "brain" ie constructing pattern formulation based on vast amounts of data.      

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Yes, and asking questions is the beginnning of knowledge. But I don't have time to answer FDs endless questions; AI can sort it out in a jiffy.

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Ah - observe crippled brain lee having trouble coping with referring to Oz's known investor tax advantages (conveniently outlined by AI), as "unique", also addressed by Kohler and Fraser above....

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Observe how blind, self-interested "free" market ideology - pushed by FD and lee - results in greedy 'cartels' which are wrecking social cohesion in our democracy. 

Deplorable. 

lee wrote on Feb 25^th, 2026 at 12:52pm:


The issue is Oz's unaffordable housing, which tax-advantaged investors are treating as their playground.

As for buiding cheaper wooden houses: the cost of land is the primary driver of escalating housing costs in Australia, with residential land prices increasing by over 500% since 2000, far outpacing construction costs, ie building wooden houses won't stop investors hogging the housing market. 

And along with Bernie Fraser and Alan Kohler - who have identified the greedy rent-seeking 'cartel' who are resisting changes to those those generous tax advantages,
also Ken Henry today: "Former Treasury chief Ken Henry says Australia's landlords are using the capital gains tax discount to avoid paying income tax" 

https://thenightly.com.au/politics/landlords-using-capital-gains-tax-concessions...

It's time for government to eliminate  the tax breaks incentivizing greedy tax-advantaged  rent-seekers to buy more than one house, and for government to rebuild sufficient public housing to ensure housing for low income groups.   Problem solved.   

Then greedy rent seekers might have to invest in productive activity, instead of pushing up prices by competing with first home buyers.

thegreatdivide wrote on Feb 25^th, 2026 at 3:30pm:



I my younger days I used to rent -
I never met a good landlord once.

Bobby. wrote on Feb 25^th, 2026 at 3:39pm:


Is that because you were a bad tenant?

lee wrote on Feb 25^th, 2026 at 4:42pm:


Are you deaf, blind and dumb? - the number one issue in politics today is the current generation of average-wage workers  who are unable to afford housing, after prices relative to wages have quadrupled over the last 3 decades.

Hence Eslake joins the debate:   

(ABC 'Mornings)

CGT discounts 'too generous' says independent economist Saul Eslake  (google it, to listen to the segment)

He also notes Howard's tax arrangements  incentivize cashed up, greedy rent-seekers to buy established houses which doesn't increase housing supply , but only increases competition with  first home buyers, pushing up prices, and exposing  Angus Tallor's contention that removing the tax benefits  for investors will "reduce supply of houses to rent" - which, as Esalke says  "is the point, we want young people to be able to afford established housing, not be forced into a permanent class of renters.

....

Re  "productivity", it's "productive" for investors' wealth but not renters, especially in Oz where housing as an asset has risen mauch faster than other assets. 

And the government wants to decrease the cost the age pension, without retired people reduced to living in poverty due to unafforable rents.

Poor crippled brain still thinks "ordinary" Aussies can buy homes, despite a host of well known economists saying otherwise ...  and FD still wants to know what are 'generous tax concessions' (compared to other countries).  The hopeless duo.

More from Ken Henry:

Australia's tax system is in a worse position than it was 15 years ago and young people are paying the price, former Treasury secretary Ken Henry has warned

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-15/ken-henry-australias-tax-system-in-worse-...

Joining the other well-known economists already mentioned in this debate.

 
 

Jasin wrote on Feb 25^th, 2026 at 4:44pm:



No - I always paid on time and looked after the place.