Has it just got easier or harder to get into the property market?

The federal government's Home Guarantee Scheme is expanding today, meaning more Australians will only need to pay a five per cent deposit on a property.

Under the changes, there will be no income limits, meaning all first-time buyers are eligible. But it comes as new figures show eight months of consistent property price growth, so will this new scheme encourage that trend? 

Then, we're once again talking about a government shutdown in the United States - so why is this the system that Washington has to navigate? 

And we'll look at a proposed merger between two of the country's largest media companies.

Recap the morning's news, politics and global affairs with the Breakfast Wrap.