The problem for a lot of people is that they have been...

The problem for a lot of people is that they have been using/expecting all the luxuries in life and now its turning pear shaped.
Have they disconnected Netflix, stop using Telstra monthly accounts, stopped the takeaway with home delivery?
Do all their kids have the latest mobile phones and gadgets?
Maybe a good time to start cooking your own food and turn off the Netflix.

Yes, rents have gone up due to Government policies, like all State Governments not reviewing Land Tax Thresholds.
Take Victoria for example, the base Land Tax base of $300,000 hasn't changed in 13 years, the property values increase and the Victorian Government reaps a fortune in Land Tax every year. An investor with say 2 x investment properties in Melbourne with the latest valuations could be paying $20,000/year in Land Tax. Divide the $20,000 between the two investment properties means an extra $10,000 each property will need in rent to breakeven each year due to the inflated valuations. So the poor renter is asked for another $200/week in rent and is spitting chips.
Do Victorians vote out dopey Dan? No, they love him and voted him and his labor stooges in for another term.
So don't you renters complain about the rent increases because you're the ones who voted for dopey Dan.
Do you think investors will build or buy more properties to ease the rental situation?
No way, who in the right mind will add to their investment portfolios only to see Land Tax payments increase even further.
Add another property to the portfolio and the Land tax will now hit $35,000 annually as all properties are added together.
The only solution to the rental crisis is to drop the rip-off Land Tax.