Editor's note

Moves to tax empty homes are gaining momentum in Australia and globally. This might make some difference to affordable housing supply, writes Hal Pawson, but the sheer wastefulness of our housing system calls for something much more ambitious.

Expect the usual bloodshed and brutality when Game of Thrones starts its seventh season today, but this time perhaps also pay attention to the embroidery. As Lydia Edwards writes, we can see in the series’ costumes influences as far apart as Medieval Europe and 20th century haute couture.

John Watson

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Vacant and unlit ‘ghost’ apartments are a source of public outrage in major cities around the world. leniners/flickr

Taxing empty homes: a step towards affordable housing, but much more can be done

Hal Pawson, UNSW

A tax on empty homes will make a modest difference to housing affordability. The sheer wastefulness of our housing system calls for something much more ambitious.

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