Event: How to tackle Brisbane’s housing crisis
How to tackle Brisbane’s housing crisis
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DateWednesday 17 June 2026
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Time1.00pm to 2.00pm
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LocationThe University of Queensland – Brisbane City
South-east Queensland seemingly has it all: great weather, idyllic beaches, and a lifestyle that draws people from across Australia and around the world.
Everything, that is, except for affordable housing. Since the end of 2019, house prices in Brisbane have more than doubled, and advertised rents are up by nearly 60 per cent – and neither show any signs of slowing down.
Brisbane is now the second most expensive capital city in Australia, ahead of Canberra, Perth and Melbourne. Housing is less affordable in Brisbane than it is in either New York or London.
With construction costs climbing ever higher, and the 2032 Olympics on the horizon, how can Brisbane turn the tide on its housing crisis, and build a city that’s both more affordable and liveable?
Join us for a special in-person event on Brisbane’s housing crisis. Andrew Messenger will moderate a panel discussion with Grattan Institute housing policy researcher Matthew Bowes, alongside Dr Rachel Gallagher and Natalie Rayment.
Event details
Date: Wednesday 17 June 2026
Time: Arrive from 12.45pm for panel discussion starting at 1pm until 2pm.
Location: Level 2, Room 227
University of Queensland – Brisbane City. 308 Queen Street, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Directions: Upon entering the atrium, guests will need to see the concierge team. Once inside, they may advise our concierge team of the confirmed event name, and they will be directed to the event space.
Find out more about access and transport here.
Please email us at [email protected] if you have any accessibility questions.
Filming and photography
This event may be photographed, filmed, or recorded for use in Grattan Institute’s publications or promotional activities. Attendees will not be individually identified. Please advise us if you do not wish your image or voice to be recorded. For further information please email us at [email protected].
We are looking forward to an invigorating discussion and hope you will join us.
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Panel
Matthew Bowes
Matthew is a Senior Associate at Grattan Institute. He has previously worked at the Parliamentary Budget Office and Commonwealth Treasury in various roles analysing personal income tax, budgets, and social policy.
Matt’s research interests include housing policy, planning reform, and public trust in government. He holds a First Class Honours degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics and a Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University.
Dr Rachel Gallagher
Dr Rachel Gallagher is a researcher and public policy professional specialising in geography, housing and planning. She is a Lecturer in Real Estate and Property Development at Griffith University, Brisbane. Her research examines how cities adapt their urban form to population change, environmental risk, and economic restructuring. She previously worked as a planner in state government and has qualifications in law, urban planning and human geography.
Natalie Rayment
Natalie is a multi-award-winning leader and town planner, renowned for her expertise in expert witness advice, statutory planning, and development facilitation. She is the Managing Director of Therefor Group, Co-founder of YIMBY Qld, and a passionate advocate for positive development and striving towards the global goal of ‘housing for all’. As a highly respected thought leader in the industry, Natalie is actively involved in several professional associations, committees, and panels. She is also a sought-after public speaker and media commentator.
Currently, Natalie is a member of the Gold Coast Planning Scheme Advisory Committee, Property Council of Australia Qld – Diversity Committee, and QShelter community of practice, and continues to be a sought-after public speaker and media commentator on urban policy and housing matters.
Andrew Messenger
Andrew Messenger is one of The Guardian’s state reporters, based at the paper’s small Brisbane bureau. He covers everything from state politics, health policy to homelessness. But anyone who has met him knows he is a transport and urban planning policy nerd. In 2022, he won a Walkley Award for reporting on regional mental illness, a nine-month investigation that led to the construction of a new hospital in northern NSW for mentally ill children.