The boss of one of Australia’s big banks says Australia must have a national conversation around the country’s mountain of debt.

There are forecasts Australia’s debt could reach the $1 trillion mark after the COVID-19 pandemic.

ANZ CEO Shayne Elliott says it’s an issue that should be addressed.

“There hasn’t been enough debate across the community, of course we have to pay it back, and we all understand that,” he told Peter Fegan filling in on 4BC Drive.

“And what we don’t want to do is lumber our children and grandchildren with that debt, that has got to be a conversation we have over the next year or two I would have thought.”

But he says Australia went into the pandemic in “good shape”.

He also spoke about getting people back into workplaces, reinvigorating CBDs, and how small businesses have fared.

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview on 4BC Drive

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