Updated March 24, 2017 01:20:39

Photo: Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas says the Federal Government has not matched rhetoric with action. (AAP: Julian Smith)

The nation's treasurers will discuss the issue of housing affordability when they meet in Canberra today, with Victoria arguing the Federal Government is not doing enough to increase home ownership levels across the country.

Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison has flagged changes to the National Affordable Housing Agreement ahead of the May budget but is not giving specifics.

Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas said the Coalition should do more to address housing affordability.

"Quite frankly, when the Government talks about opening up the opportunities for people to get into the housing market they haven't really matched their rhetoric with any substantial action," Mr Pallas said.

Mr Pallas pointed to his Government's move to abolish stamp duty for first home buyers purchasing a property valued below $600,000 as an example of moves to make housing more affordable.

"I think Victoria has well and truly demonstrated that it's prepared to put forward a very aggressive policy agenda aimed to rectify some of the disproportionate and unfair elements of the way that the market's operated to date."

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Mr Morrison has refused to say if his package to tackle housing affordability would include changes to capital gains tax, which Mr Pallas said "should be on the table for a discussion", along with negative gearing.

Today's meeting of the state and territory treasurers who make up the Affordable Housing Working Group will discuss the development of a bond aggregator, a scheme to help community and affordable housing projects access finance at cheaper rates.

A spokesperson for Mr Morrison said the treasurers would be asked to provide an update on their state's efforts to address housing affordability.

"States and Territories, including Victoria, will also be asked to update participants on recent steps they have taken to improve housing outcomes for their residents."

The Government will also advise treasurers on the operation of the new Critical Infrastructure Centre and how it will "manage complex and evolving national security risks to Australia's critical infrastructure, so that all levels of government, owners and operators can work together to identify and manage risks".

Topics: housing, housing-industry, federal---state-issues, australia, act, nsw, nt, qld, sa, tas, vic, wa

First posted March 24, 2017 00:35:20