Jim Chalmers 2022

Natarsha Belling:

Good afternoon, Treasurer. Thanks for joining us this afternoon.

Jim Chalmers:

Thanks very much, Natarsha.

Belling:

Surely you are hoping for a rate cut tomorrow.

Chalmers:

The Albanese Government will ban foreign investors from buying established homes for at least two years and crack down on foreign land banking.

We’re coming at this housing challenge from every responsible angle.

This is all about easing pressure on our housing market at the same time as we build more homes.

Jim Chalmers:

Today we’re announcing progress, important progress, that we have made with the regulators and the banks when it comes to lending to Australians with student debt and also lending for developments of apartments.

Natalie Barr:

Relations with our most important global ally are on a knife edge this morning with the US President accusing Australia of breaking its word over a verbal commitment in 2017 to limit our aluminium exports.

It comes as Anthony Albanese works desperately to negotiate an exemption from sweeping US tariffs.

Sarah Abo:

Good morning to you, Treasurer.

Jim Chalmers:

Morning.

Abo:

So did Australia break its word to the United States when it comes to aluminium exports?

Chalmers:

Sabra Lane:

For more on that issue and the prospect that the federal government might buy the troubled regional airlines Rex if no one else buys it, I was joined a short time ago by the federal Treasurer.

James Glenday:

Treasurer, g’day and good morning.

Jim Chalmers:

Good morning James.

Glenday:

All right, level with us. Do you think we’re going to get an exemption from these tariffs or not?

Chalmers:

Financial regulators will update their guidance to make it easier for Australians with a HELP debt to responsibly take out a mortgage and buy a home, and also unlock the construction of more units, following a request from the Albanese Government.

We’re tackling this housing challenge from every possible angle.

Jim Chalmers:

The Albanese Government has secured commitments from the banks to ensure banking services remain available in the regions.

Banks have a responsibility to regional communities and we’re holding them to it.

We are making sure bank branches stay open in the bush.