New polling in the WA seat of Cowan reveals voters strongly prefer spending on affordable homes over investor tax breaks like negative gearing, by a ratio of more than 5 to 1.
A February poll of more than 600 Cowan voters, conducted by uComms for Everybody's Home, reveals a major disconnect between voter priorities and political responses to the housing crisis.
The poll shows:
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More than half (53%) prefer funding affordable homes, compared with only one in ten (9%) who favor tax concessions for property investors.
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One in two (49%) voters believe both Labor and Liberal are not committing to solutions that will make housing more affordable for most Australians, with one in ten (13%) believing both parties are
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Three in five (61%) are likely to vote for a party or candidate who prioritises solutions that make renting more affordable and secure
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Housing (37%) is the biggest cost-of-living pressure for voters, followed by groceries (30%), insurance (11%) and energy bills (10%).
Meanwhile, an Everybody’s Home snapshot reveals Cowan faces a critical housing crisis with both renters (79.5%) and mortgage holders (66%) experiencing extreme financial stress.
Additionally, 4,100 households in the Cowan electorate urgently need social housing.
Everybody’s Home spokesperson Maiy Azize said: “The worst housing crisis in living memory is smashing Australians and voters are ready to turn their pain into political power.
“These polling results in Cowan show the housing crisis has spiralled out of control. Housing ranks as the number one cost-of-living pressure, and voters are ready to back candidates who will take bold action and offer real solutions.
“This polling sends a blunt warning to federal politicians: deliver real action on housing or pay the price at the ballot box. We’re seeing a critical gap between voter expectations and political action.
“Voters have delivered a damning verdict - neither Labor nor Liberal are committing to solutions that will make housing more affordable for most Australians. Three in five voters in Cowan are ready to vote for candidates who prioritise solutions that make renting more affordable and secure.
“Poll after poll has shown us that voters are open to winding back investor tax breaks like negative gearing and the CGT discount. This poll shows that voters strongly favour affordable homes over investor tax breaks. More than five times as many voters in Cowan say funding affordable housing, rather than property investor tax breaks, is the fairest way for the federal government to address housing affordability.
“Phasing out investor tax breaks isn't just fair, it will make housing more affordable. Every dollar that goes to property investors through tax breaks is a dollar that could build social housing for Australians.
“Voters are demanding the next federal government make commitments that match the scale of the housing crisis. That means building more social housing, ending investor tax breaks, and strengthening renter protections.
"The housing crisis will define this election. Politicians have an opportunity to shift the dial on the housing crisis that can transform the lives of millions of Australian voters and shape their political legacy.”
Polling results are available upon request.
Media contact: Sofie Wainwright 0403 920 301 // Lauren Ferri 0422 581 506