Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Minchin, the Minister for Finance and Administration. Can the minister indicate whether he has been consulted about the Treasurer’s plans to build his own official residence in Canberra? Has a site been selected for the Treasurer’s proposed house? What will be the construction cost? Can the minister confirm that the running costs would be in addition to the $1.5 million a year that taxpayers already spend on Kirribilli House and the Lodge? Why is the Treasurer’s only policy on housing affordability a taxpayer funded grand Canberra home for himself? Why isn’t he instead taking action to help young Australians and their families who can no longer afford to buy their own home since the government broke its promise to keep interest rates at record lows?