“Reviewing the budget ... growing our national skills base to keep the economy firing, tick ... build-to-rent housing, tick ... cities policy, tick ... energy efficiency incentives, tick ... investment in housing, question mark.”

Federal treasurer Jim Chalmers has delivered Australia’s first budget in surplus—$4.2 billion—in 15 years, buoyed by high employment and rising global commodity prices. But how does it sit with the property sector?

Property Council Australia chief executive Mike Zorbas spoke for many when he said he wanted to see more to address the housing affordability issues and the current construction crisis.