Afternoon Update: Chalmers says auction decline a ‘good thing’ for new buyers; Abbott downplays One Nation surge; and an amateur pianist’s big moment

Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Good afternoon.

The federal treasurer, Jim Chalmers, has seen the positives in a drop in auction clearance rates, saying “if we are making it easier for first home buyers to get a fair crack at auctions, then that’s a good thing”.