It is only a deal worth considering because the rest of us taxpayers get to pick up the bill for a portion of the loss via the bullshit tax scheme known as nega

It is only a deal worth considering because the rest of us taxpayers get to pick up the bill for a portion of the loss via the bullshit tax scheme known as negative gearing, where you can claim losses on you investment property as a deduction against your personal income (cf. places like the USA where I believe you can do this with only your primary residence). As a result, the price of houses in Australia is completely disconnected from the rental returns, and instead driven by speculators chasing capital gains, and/or income tax minimisation by engaging in negative gearing.