Economic Principles
Question 1 – Article Analysis
i. Read the followin" rel="nofollow">ing articles and write a summary of each article that highlights the main" rel="nofollow">in
economic issue(s) bein" rel="nofollow">ing discussed.
“RBA governor Philip Lowe only sees one way to solve Australia's housin" rel="nofollow">ing affordability
problem” at https://www.busin" rel="nofollow">inessin" rel="nofollow">insider.com.au/lowe-housin" rel="nofollow">ing-affordability-2017-4
“Sydney squeeze: Is rent control the answer to the housin" rel="nofollow">ing affordability crisis?” at
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-21/sydney-squeeze-affordable-housin" rel="nofollow">ing-rent-controloptions/8370364
(4 marks)
ii. Discuss three (3) of the factors that have contributed to the unaffordability of housin" rel="nofollow">ing in" rel="nofollow">in
Australia and three (3) approaches that policy makers have put forth to address the issue of
housin" rel="nofollow">ing affordability.
(3 marks)
iii. Usin" rel="nofollow">ing a demand and supply diagram for the housin" rel="nofollow">ing or rental market in" rel="nofollow">in Australia, illustrate the
effect of one of the factors that have contributed to the rise in" rel="nofollow">in housin" rel="nofollow">ing or rental prices in" rel="nofollow">in
Australia. Briefly explain" rel="nofollow">in your diagram and state which side of the market is bein" rel="nofollow">ing affected and
why and the effects to equilibrium price and quantity.
(Label your diagram fully and use realistic axes labels. Give your diagram a title. Note – you do
not need to use actual data for this question).
(3 marks)
3
Question 2 – Rental Market Analysis
i. Usin" rel="nofollow">ing a demand and supply diagram for the market for rental properties, illustrate and explain" rel="nofollow">in
the effect of a (bin" rel="nofollow">indin" rel="nofollow">ing) rent ceilin" rel="nofollow">ing. (Label your diagram fully and use realistic axes labels. Give
your diagram a title).
Your analysis should discuss the welfare effects on this market and the changes to quantity
demand and supplied.
(6 marks)
ii. List and briefly discuss 2 alternative mechanisms that may help to ration the rental stock when
the free-market price is prevented from achievin" rel="nofollow">ing a market-clearin" rel="nofollow">ing equilibrium.
(2 marks)
iii. Discuss how the quality of the rental stock may be affected by the implementation of a rent
ceilin" rel="nofollow">ing?
(2 marks)
(10 + 10 marks) Total 20 marks