Julie Collins 2022

Farmers, freight companies and other small and medium businesses will be able to obtain cheaper finance for solar, batteries and more energy efficient vehicles and equipment, with $50 million from the Albanese Government to support discounted loans.

The Albanese Government is getting on with the job of building homes for Australia, with successful recipients announced under Stream 1 of the $1.5 billion Housing Support Program.

A total of 80 projects across Australia will receive funding, including 73 local government projects and seven under the states and territories.

The Albanese Labor Government’s legislation to improve payment times for small businesses has passed the Parliament.

The legislation overhauls the Payment Times Reporting Act 2020 (the Act) and will provide a shot in the arm for small businesses with faster payment times improving cash flow, alleviating administrative burdens and reducing financing costs.

The Albanese Government has approved three consumer and small business advocates as designated complainants.

Designated complainants will be able to submit complaints to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) about significant or systemic market issues affecting Australian consumers or small businesses.

The new financial year will kickstart more support from the Albanese Labor Government for Australia’s small businesses.

From 1 July 2024, the Government will deliver energy bill relief of $325 to around 1 million small businesses across the country.

July 1 marks the start of a new era for housing reforms and the next phase of the Albanese Labor Government’s $32 billion Homes for Australia plan.

At the centre of the Homes for Australia plan is the ambitious national target of building 1.2 million new, well‑located homes by the end of the decade from today.

A further 50,000 households across Australia will get a hand up into home ownership, with the new financial year bringing more support from the Albanese Labor Government through the expanded and improved Home Guarantee Scheme.

On 1 July, 50,000 new places will be made available across the Home Guarantee Scheme’s three categories:

JULIE COLLINS:

PATRICIA KARVELAS:

Housing Minister Julie Collins joins me this morning. Minister, welcome.

JULIE COLLINS:

Thank you, Patricia, and to your listeners today.

KARVELAS:

The Albanese Labor Government’s Homes for Australia plan is delivering an additional $1 billion across the country to get homes built sooner.

States and territories will today be paid $1 billion collectively through the Priority Works Stream of the Housing Support Program to turbocharge construction of new homes.