Live: Bragg to reignite super fight with housing plan

A plan for Australians to use their superannuation to make it easier to secure a home loan is set to be floated by Shadow Housing Minister Andrew Bragg. Follow all the updates in our live blog. Tue 22 Sep 2026 at 7:44amTue 22 Sep 2026 at 7:44amChalmers hasn't 'necessarily' given up on budget surpluses despite IGR deficit forecastTreasurer Jim Chalmers has just sat down in the ABC Radio National Breakfast studio.He's asked about the intergenerational report and projections Australia will remain in deficit over the next 40 years. Has the government given up returning the budget to surplus?"No, not necessarily," Chalmers says."The intergenerational report does paint a picture of some pretty serious budget pressures and economic risks but we're optimistic about the future because we've got a lot going for us as well."He argues Australia's budget is better off than others because the debt profile "actually comes down over the 40 year period"."Whereas in a lot of other countries, int he next decade and decades is going up," Chalmers says.He acknowledged there are pressures in the housing market and the tax system but he hopes in time the changes including in the May budget -- including scaling back negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount -- will be vindicated in time.Tue 22 Sep 2026 at 7:27amTue 22 Sep 2026 at 7:27amGovernment not considering DV royal commissionThe government is not considering a royal commission into violence against women and children, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says.Advocates for an inquiry stepped up their call for the government to take action after four separate alleged domestic violence incidents in New South Wales over the weekend.Chalmers told ABC's News Breakfast the incidents were "absolutely horrific" but the governent was focused on boosting resources over calling an inquiry. "We've chosen instead to increase the resourcing for child and family violence, domestic violence. We do acknowledge that this has a number of sources and we're trying to deal with the sources of all this violence, whether it be more security in the housing system, whether it be monetised misogyny that we see online," he says."We do acknowledge, that all of this violence is obviously entirely unacceptable. It's horrific in every way. That's why we've increased the resources, and that's why we all need to do better, to do everything we can to make a difference here."If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.Tue 22 Sep 2026 at 7:14amTue 22 Sep 2026 at 7:14amAustralia joins international push for AI safeguardsAnthony Albanese and more than a dozen world leaders have issued an urgent plea for global guardrails to ensure AI remains "under human control", in a demonstration of middle powers flexing their collective muscle, as the US and China fight for global dominance.In an alarming statement — issued on the eve of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York — the 22 signatories warn "the pace of development could outpace our ability to manage emerging risks" and efforts to ring-fence it are failing.First flagged by Albanese on Saturday, the declaration warns capable AI systems have already managed to circumvent testing safeguards and gain unauthorised access to real-world systems."The rapid development of frontier AI models poses serious risks to safety and security if not appropriately managed," the statement reads.The coalition of middle powers — including Australia, Finland, Norway, Canada, Singapore and the European Commission — calls on AI companies to develop transparent safety protocols and governments to develop and coordinate common standards.Read more about the statement at the link below Tue 22 Sep 2026 at 7:09amTue 22 Sep 2026 at 7:09amBragg to reignite super fight with housing plan(ABC News: Matt Roberts)A plan for Australians to use their superannuation to make it easier to secure a home loan is set to be floated by Shadow Housing Minister Andrew Bragg.The proposal, which has not been adopted as Coalition policy, would allow individuals to use their retirement savings as collateral for a mortgage or to increase the size of a loan.Bragg will make the pitch in an address to the Financial Services Council today. He first floated the idea a couple of weeks ago after One Nation released its own superannuation policy."Why should we live in a nation where big institutions own houses by virtue of government policy but people can’t use their own money to get a home or reduce their own mortgage?" he's expected to say, according to a copy of his speech.The Coalition went to the last two elections with a proposal to allow individuals to withdraw up to $50,000 for a first home deposit.Bragg stressed none of the options floated in the speech were opposition policy but the Coalition has an "open mind"."They are options worthy of a debate in a country like Australia," he's expected to say.Tue 22 Sep 2026 at 7:06amTue 22 Sep 2026 at 7:06amGood morning 👋Hi friends. Welcome to our politics live blog. I'm Courtney Gould from the ABC's Parliament House team, here to guide you through the day.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in New York ahead of a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. He joined with other nations to release a statement calling for AI guardrails.Back at home, expect Treasurer Jim Chalmers to be out and about this morning following the release of yesterday's intergenerational report. Meanwhile, the Coalition is kicking off another round of the superannuation wars as the shadow housing minister floats a plan to allow people to use their retirement savings for a home. Let's go.