Barnaby Joyce, a One Nation Member of Parliament, said Australians are fed up with the government taking away their rights and overregulating daily life.
Joyce's comments highlight a growing political tension regarding the role of the state in the economy and personal liberties. His argument suggests that government intrusion is not only a social issue but a primary driver of the current housing affordability crisis.
During an interview with host Paul Murray on Sky News Australia, Joyce said that citizens have had an "absolute gutful" of the government being in every corner of their lives. He said that this pervasive presence results in the erosion of individual rights and the loss of national potential.
Joyce specifically linked these regulatory burdens to the cost of real estate. He said that 20% to 25% [1] of a house price is the result of government regulations. This claim suggests that a significant portion of home equity is tied to bureaucratic requirements, rather than the intrinsic value of the property or land.
"We have so much potential that’s lost," Joyce said during the segment. He said that the public is tired of the government "taking their rights off them."
The MP's critique focuses on the cumulative effect of state oversight. By framing the housing market through the lens of regulation, Joyce positions the government as a direct obstacle to affordable homeownership for the average Australian citizen.
“"20‑25 per cent of your house price… is regulations from the government."”
Joyce's assertions reflect a broader libertarian-leaning critique within Australian politics that views administrative state growth as a catalyst for economic inefficiency. By attributing nearly a quarter of housing costs to regulation, he is pushing for a deregulation agenda to lower the barrier to entry for homeowners.
