Treasurer Jim Chalmers Delivers 2026 Federal Budget Speech

Treasurer Jim Chalmers delivered the 2026 federal budget speech on May 12. The Guardian provided live coverage of the address, including summaries of winners and losers as well as analysis of generational impacts.

Shadow minister for finance Claire Chandler responded to the budget shortly afterward. Chandler said, "You don’t make more of something by increasing taxes on it." She argued for direct action to increase housing stock. "If we need more houses in this country, let’s build more houses. Let’s not start taxing them," she said.

Chandler highlighted existing initiatives including the 5% deposit housing program, the Housing Australia Future Fund and partnerships with states and territories on housing. She referenced a recent announcement of $2bn for enabling infrastructure including connections for housing development. Chandler said this addresses challenges that state, territory and local governments struggle with.

Chandler said there is a lot of understanding across the community about governments needing to respond to make housing more affordable. She added, "This isn’t about generation versus generation."

The original article drew from the same Guardian live blog that contained these statements along with procedural details of the budget day process.