There are two very strong and important reasons why politicians need to encourage Australians to invest in residential real estate.

The first and most immediate one is that this is the best and fastest solution to the rental shortage crisis. The second and more long-term reason is that, in a country with an ageing population, we need to encourage people to provide for their own retirement through investment.

Which is the polar opposite of what’s been happening throughout the past five years or so. We’ve been discouraging people from investing in real estate and the country will suffer both short-term and long-term consequences from the stupidity and short-sightedness of our politicians.

If we don’t turn around this issue and provide incentives for people to invest for their retirement, we face the same agony that they’re experiencing in France, where they’re attempting to extend the retirement age amid widespread and sometimes violent protests.