BCEC Housing Affordability Report 2021

Read: Housing Affordability in WA: A tale of two tenures

The Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC) is undertaking a targeted research program examining housing affordability in Western Australia. This research program will culminate in the release of an accessible report on the affordability of housing in WA.

This Focus on WA report will present brand new findings from the 2021 BCEC Housing Affordability Survey. The research will deliver the latest insights into how housing affordability has changed over time and examine the impact of COVID-19 on housing security and affordability. It will provide an invaluable resource for stakeholders in identifying how market changes and interventions impact household affordability outcomes.

Join us for lunch with our expert panel: Cath Hart, Executive Director Western Australia, Housing Industry Association; Michelle Mackenzie, Chief Executive Officer, Shelter WA; and Mike Rowe, Director General, Department of Communities; and Professor Steven Rowley, Director, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Curtin Research Centre, in a facilitated conversation with Gareth Parker, Journalist, Broadcaster and Commentator, 6PR.

During the report launch we will have opening remarks from Sinead Taylor, Executive General Manager, Bankwest, and a presentation of the report findings by John Curtin Distinguished Professor Alan Duncan, Director, Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre, and Dr Amity James, Deputy Director, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Curtin Research Centre.

Date: Thursday 24 June, 2021

Time: 11.45am (12.00pm start) – 2.00pm

Location: BelleVue Ballroom 1, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, 21 Mounts Bay Road, Perth

Cost: $79 per individual ticket, $632 per table of eight

Registrations for this event have now closed. For any ticketing queries, please email bcec@curtin.edu.au.

About our panel

Cath Hart, Executive Director Western Australia, Housing Industry Association

Cath Hart is an experienced business advocate with more than 18 years in advocacy, public policy and journalism. Ms Hart joined the Housing Industry Association in 2018 after working as Director of Advocacy for the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia.

Previously former-Premier Colin Barnett’s Director of Government Media, Cath began her career as a journalist, working around the country with The Australian newspaper, covering business, federal and state politics and sport.

Cath is Chair of the Housing Industry Forecast Group following her appointment in September 2020.

Michelle Mackenzie, Chief Executive Officer, Shelter WA

Michelle Mackenzie became Shelter WA’s CEO at the beginning of 2018.

She has a passion for social justice, human rights and working with people, communities and institutions to advocate and deliver more affordable and diverse housing choice.

Michelle understands that championing more affordable housing choice in this State, will lead to better outcomes for people experiencing homelessness and those seeking housing security.

She is passionate about working collaboratively, facilitating the alignment of government, industry, researchers and the community sector to design and deliver an affordable housing system.

Prior to working at Shelter WA, Michelle was an Executive Director at the Department of Regional Development, led the regional community relations team at Rio Tinto, and was an Executive Manager at the WA Local Government Association (WALGA).

Mike Rowe, Director General, Department of Communities

Mike Rowe was previously Director General of the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation in Western Australia, which was established on 1 July 2017. Mike moved into the role following three years as the Director General of the former Department of Water.

Having worked in a variety of leadership, policy, advisory and delivery roles since 1993, Mike is an experienced member of the WA Government’s senior executive service. His experience spans natural resources management portfolios including agriculture, environment and water. He has also worked with the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and other portfolio areas including Aboriginal affairs and public sector management.

Mike studied environmental science and holds postgraduate qualifications in social research and program evaluation and public sector management.

Mike is currently the President of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (Western Australia) and a board member of Leadership WA.

Professor Steven Rowley, Director, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Curtin Research Centre

Steven Rowley is a professor of property in the School of Economics, Finance and Property at Curtin University.

He has been director of the Australian Housing Urban Research Institute’s (AHURI) Curtin research centre since 2011 and is a member (and past chair) of the WA Housing Industry Forecasting Group (HIFG) which consists of 15 industry organisations brought together to forecast housing market activity.

His primary research focus is housing affordability and has published industry reports (Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre, Department of Communities), academic journal articles (Housing Studies) and AHURI documents (Modelling housing need; Housing stress and household wellbeing) on the topic.