In this discussion paper, John Dahlsen, owner and Chairman of the Dahlsens Family Companies group, examines how we arrived at the current housing crisis in Australia, why we are at a tipping point and his suggested reform agenda to get the housing and building sectors back on their feet.
John draws from his vast experience and industry connections, and has spent considerable time studying and writing about the challenges facing the housing and building sectors at large.
This paper was also the subject of two articles in The Australian newspaper by economics journalist, Robert Gottliebsen, published on Tuesday 14 July and Wednesday 15 July 2026.
About John Dahlsen, LLB MBA
John has had a substantial career outside the family business, having served as Chairman of Woolworths, Southern Cross Broadcasting, the Herald and Weekly Times, as well as Deputy Chairman of Myer, Director of ANZ Bank and The Warehouse (NZ). He writes from the perspective of someone who has worked at the large end of town, as well as small-to-medium enterprises. His commercial legal career and MBA qualifications further inform his analysis.
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ORIGINAL PAPER
Read the extended paper here for a full examination of the current situation, detailed recommendations and appendices.
