Home ownership is a cornerstone of the Australia’s social security and retirement systems. Yet for many Australians, home ownership continues to slip further out of reach. In many instances people have written off the possibility entirely. House prices have continued to grow at a rate that has outstripped wages. This hasn’t happened by accident. For decades Australian governments have walked away from a direct interest in supporting housing and homeownership. Through tax incentives, such as negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount, many ordinary Australians are being locked out of home ownership because they are unable to compete.