Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

I can reassure Senator Gallagher that loan pricing is a key evaluation criteria the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation will consider in selecting the scheme's panel of lenders. A number of lenders, including small lenders, have already indicated through the market-sounding process that they are prepared to offer products under the scheme that do not charge first home buyers more, and that is what we want to see. In approving lenders for participation in the scheme, the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation will assess impacts on competition as well as the attractiveness of each lender's loan products in terms of interest rates and fees. Lenders participating in the scheme will continue to be subject to existing responsible lending obligations, including ensuring that loans are only extended to borrowers who can comfortably service the loan.