Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey has been branded as out of touch after he said people looking to buy their first home should get a good job that pays well.
Joe Hockey speaking to media at Parliament House in Canberra on 12 May 2015. Photo: AFP
Mr Hockey yesterday dismissed suggestions that homes in Sydney were unaffordable.
He went on to advise young people looking to buy their first home to "get a good job that pays good money".
"Then you can go to the bank and you can borrow money," he said.
Mr Hockey was on the defensive today, telling the ABC he understood housing was expensive. "Yes, it is difficult for first home buyers to get into the market, there's no doubt about that."
Mr Hockey said the best way to tackle housing affordability was to increase supply, pointing to the responsibility of state governments when it comes to land release and planning decisions.
The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) released a statement condemning the Treasurer's initial remarks.
"Not everyone has the luxury of simply switching to a better-paying job," the statement read.
"The reality is there are nearly 800,000 people who can't get a job right now, with five people competing for every available job vacancy.
It said young people and those on low incomes were being locked out of home ownership and the private rental market remained expensive and insecure.
- ABC
