⏱️This edition of the National Account’s newsletter is a five-minute read.
👋 Happy New Year everyone, Archie here.
Hope you’ve all managed to find some time to relax, see those that you care about, and enjoy this beautiful country over the break.
I went home to New Zealand for a few days, then up to a mate’s farm in Dungog, New South Wales. For long-term readers of this newsletter, this was the same farm that we had to de-bog a ute out of in August last year.
This trip, we were put back to work, helping to dispose of a cow that had sadly passed away on the property. One way to spend your New Year’s Eve indeed.
Australia must urgently reassess its relationship with the US, which was previously sold on shared values of democracy and an international rules-based order. That relationship, if it ever truly existed, is now in tatters.
🗣️ Why did he say that?
Australia’s leaders have responded to the seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The Prime Minister has taken a diplomatic approach, calling for calm and diplomacy.
The opposition has been slightly more rambunctious, welcoming the seizure and calling Maduro an illegitimate leader, while the Greens have called for Australia to question its ties to the United States after its actions in Venezuela.
For my full breakdown check out today’s video:
Around the Grounds 🦘
Across the country, things are happening at a local level that have an impact nationally. Here’s the stories you might not hear about in the traditional media.
🚂 A heritage station's new lease on life
Lilydale station’s heritage refreshment rooms, once a stop for commuters in Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs to grab a drink, will be getting a new lease on life.
The 1914 building, closed in 2021 for station works, is set to be refurbished as a community space run by Lilydale Community House, offering classes, events, and social activities.
Read that story by clicking below 👇
🍌 Have you seen this banana stand?
If you’ve ever driven through New South Wales’ Mid North Coast, you may be familiar with the Cunningham’s Bananas stall standing roadside in Coffs Harbour.
The Mid North Coaster’s Ellie Chamberlain has driven past the roadside stall her whole life, and recently wondered how long it’s been in Coffs Harbour.
On a recent visit, she met with the owner, John who she figured was the best person to ask.
Read that story by clicking below 👇
Market Update 🤓
Elsehwere: the Median Australian dwelling is now worth $71,400 more than a year ago.
Here’s what else has changed in the property market.
🤔 What happened?
Property data firm Cotality has released its latest research on Australia’s housing market, reporting the strongest calendar-year gain in home values since 2021.
In the last calendar year, the Home Value Index jumped 8.6%, adding approximately $71,400 to the national median dwelling value.
🏡 What’s growing?
According to Cotality’s research director, Tim Lawless, across every capital city the value of lower and middle-priced dwellings is growing around five-and-a-half times faster than higher-end properties, as affordability and serviceability pressures push demand towards cheaper homes.
🦘 Across the nation
Darwin, Perth and Brisbane all saw the biggest value increases, jumping 18.9%, 15.9% and 14.5% respectively.
💰Rents
Across the country, the rental vacancy rate rose by just 0.1% percent in December, with that total figure now sitting at 1.6%. Meanwhile, rent prices have risen 5.2%.
Lawless said it’s difficult to get a clear picture of the rental market in December and January, with leasing cycles disrupted by university breaks and the festive season.
“We will get a better feel for rental conditions in February,” said Lawless. “However, even if conditions have loosened a little, it's from an extremely tight position, and rents are likely to rise further through 2026.”
🤑 Profits
Rents are still rising, but home prices are rising faster, which is pushing rental profits down.
Nationally, gross rental profits fell in 2025, dropping from 3.67% to 3.56% of a property's value, the lowest level since September 2022.
Sydney has the lowest rental yields of any capital city, at around 3.0%, slightly down from last year.
Darwin has the highest yields at 6.19%, but even then profits have fallen as property prices have risen faster than rents.
Thanks for catching up with me. I hope you enjoyed this issue, and I’d love to hear your thoughts. Just reply to this email and I’ll be on the other side 👋
I’ll be back on Wednesday.
Cheers, Archie