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Since Airbnb officially arrived in Australia in 2012, the short-term property rental giant has been extending its power and popularity, all with the softest touch.

By accident and design, the company has become the friendly face of the local “sharing economy,” being conciliatory with government and recruiting hosts who can act as its champions.

Airbnb’s reputation in the U.S., in comparison, is more combative. In 2016, it went so far as to sue San Francisco over host registration requirements. The company is also flexing its political muscle, apparently spending close to a quarter million dollars on its U.S. lobbying efforts in 2016. Read more…

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