Activist Drew Pavlou has defended a social media video in which he claimed Chinese real estate agencies in Melbourne “exclude” English speakers by advertising only in Chinese to foreign buyers.
The 26-year-old, best known for leading protests at the University of Queensland against Beijing’s actions in Hong Kong, told his nearly 300,000 followers he had “counted 12 Chinese real estate firms on two of the main shopping streets in Melbourne CBD” and that “most of them advertise only in Chinese to foreign buyers.”
“English speakers are excluded…” he added. “Nobody can explain how this benefits Australia during the worst housing crisis in our national history.”
In the full YouTube video, Pavlou remarked on “graffiti everywhere, massive economic changes” and said, “I counted within one 500m stretch 15 bubble tea stores and about 12 Chinese real estate firms … (they) only advertise in the Chinese language for Chinese people to buy property in Australia. It was just beautiful.”
Speaking to news.com.au, Pavlou insisted the video was “not racially motivated” and was filmed with the support of Hong Kong friends.
“If there were 12 Greek real estate agencies advertising to Greek overseas buyers in the heart of the Melbourne CBD, I would equally oppose it,” Pavlou, whose family is Greek Australian, said.
He argued the issue is about housing accessibility: “Right now, young Australians are locked out of the housing market due to record-high prices and low supply, yet prime property stock is being marketed directly to offshore buyers who will never live here. That inevitably drives demand upward and puts extra pressure on ordinary families and first-home buyers.”
Pavlou called for an “open conversation” on “how to prioritise the housing needs of Australians over overseas buyers.”
Agencies named in the video rejected Pavlou’s claims. A number of the firms said they advertise in Chinese and English and have multilingual team members.
Some members of the public also pushed back, noting the video was filmed next to Melbourne’s Chinatown. Pollster Kos Samaras pointed out that ethnic enclaves have historically catered to their own communities, citing past Greek-run businesses.
Foreign buyers own about 2% of Australia’s housing stock and are currently banned from purchasing established homes until 2027. Economist Leith van Onselen said the properties marketed by the agencies in Pavlou’s video are likely newly built, which non-residents are permitted to buy.
Source: News.com.au.
