Hastie says falling house prices might not be ‘all that encouraging’ for recent buyers – as it happened
auction clearance rates dropped and house prices fell in some cities, **Jim Chalmers** downplayed the role of Labor’s budget but said it [may be a “good thing” for first-time buyers](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jun/01/house-prices-auction-jim-chalmers-response-first-home-buyers).