"Real Estate Institute of Victoria spokesman Robert Larocca said...

"Real Estate Institute of Victoria spokesman Robert Larocca said Melbourne house prices were likely to remain broadly level for the rest of the year"

- An interesting tid bit about Mr Larocaa:

From:http://www.housingaffordability.blogspot.com/

In considering the lack of action by the Victorian Labor government on real estate-related matters (except for allowing developers to now rip 20% off mug buyers), you need to look no further than the rice-paper thin closeness of the REIV and the ALP -- represented by no less than Robert LaRocca, an ALP apparatchik, and present chief lobbyist for the REIV. As well being a former Labor mayor, LaRocca was an adviser to a consumer affairs minister (Marsha Thomson) -- and had direct influence over that agency. The very agency responsible for overseeing the real estate industry -- Consumer Affairs Victoria.

An agency deeply compromised by its close relationship with the ALP, its director proudly spruiking her close relationship with various ALP MPs and a couple of ex-ministerial staffers now working within the agency. It's more a branch of King Street than Treasury Place.