Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also appeared on ABC’s News Breakfast this morning, when he was asked about comments made yesterday that he wants house prices to “steadily increase”.
“If you’ve got a house that you’ve just bought, and you’ve got a $500,000 mortgage, and your house goes down by $100,000 under Labor, then your mortgage is worth more than the house itself, then that’s not a good situation for you,” Dutton said.
“So, no, we don’t want house prices to plummet.”
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton yesterday.Credit: James Brickwood
Asked whether he had an “appropriate level in mind” for house prices to rise, Dutton said they want “sustainable growth”.
The Coalition says it would allow first-time buyers to claim the interest on their mortgage, up to a mortgage limit of $650,000, for five years when they buy a newly built home. About 30,000 people are assumed to use the scheme each year, which has been estimated to cost $1.25 billion.
This is in addition to the party’s plan to let first-time buyers take up to $50,000 out of their superannuation to put towards a home.
Dutton also acknowledged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had commented that he would seek a third term if re-elected on May 3.
“We’re the underdog,” Dutton said.
