Julie Collins 2022

Australian small and medium business owners will today be able to access a new free course in artificial intelligence 101, a development which has been welcomed by the Albanese Labor Government today.

The Albanese Labor Government’s legislation to establish a national shared equity scheme Help to Buy has passed the House of Representatives.

Help to Buy will bring home ownership back into reach for 40,000 Australian households.

This will be life changing for thousands of Australians who have been locked out of the security and stability of home ownership.

NATALIE BARR:

Housing Minister Julie Collins joins me now. Good morning to you. So, the Greens have described this scheme as a, quote, housing lottery that will push up prices for renters. Will it?

JULIE COLLINS:

JULIE COLLINS:

A new partnership between the Albanese and Cook Labor Governments will deliver more than 200 new homes in Perth, giving key workers and Western Australians in need, including older women at risk of homelessness, a safe and affordable place to call home.

More Victorians will have a safe and affordable place to call home with the reopening of 80 refurbished units at Lakewood, with the project supported by a $12.4 million contribution from the Albanese Labor Government’s Housing Australia.

Labor is the party that believes all Australians deserve a home.

We hear politicians elsewhere claiming that their party is the party for renters, or the party for home ownership.

But Labor is the only party to back words with action.

Consumer and small business advocates will now have special powers to raise significant and systemic issues with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for investigation.

As part of its Better Competition election commitment, the Albanese Government is introducing legislation to establish a new designated complaints function within the ACCC.

Australians are encouraged to shop small this Valentine’s Day and help show some love for the country’s 2.5 million small businesses.

The Albanese Labor Government recognises that small businesses are the biggest employer in Australia and are at the heart of the national economy.

JULIE COLLINS: