One of the country’s leading economists has savaged a government plan to make housing more accessible, labelling it “ridiculous”, while also sharing a glimpse of the likely interest rate landscape in 2026.

And it’s likely more bad news for homeowners or homebuyers.

AMP chief economist Shane Oliver has been vocal about his opposition to the federal government’s First Home Guarantee Scheme while appearing on Mark Bouris’ ‘Property Insights’podcast.

Mr Oliver repeatedly called the scheme, which allows first-time buyers to use small deposits without incurring pricey lender’s mortgage insurance, “ridiculous”.

He argued that the initiative, a cornerstone of the Labor Party’s 2025 federal election campaign, was not in the best interest of most first home buyers.

“If you get in first and you

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