Peter Martin, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
The opposition leader wants to restrict foreign investors to new properties. In 2016 and 2019 Labor wanted to restrict negative gearing to new properties.
Negative gearing is popular because it lowers home owners’ tax bills. But its critics say it has reduced affordable housing stock keeping the less well off out of the market.
Even changing the tax system won’t end steadily-climbing property prices. They are the result of urbanisation, and while COVID has eased some of the pressures, it has added some more.
Peter Martin, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
An astounding one in nine taxpayers negatively gear, costing Australia more than $2.7 billion a year. Here’s how we could get better value for that money – and supercharge investment in new housing.
There are no ‘silver bullet’ solutions to a crisis that has left both renters and owners struggling. Only a comprehensive package of bold policies can ensure all Australians are securely housed.
Grattan Institute estimates point to deficits without end, growing with the need for greater spending on health, defence and natural disasters. We’ve presented the treasurer with 13 costed options.
Peter Martin, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
Asked to choose the fairest ways to raise billions, half of the economists backed introducing inheritance taxes. Around a third chose winding back super tax concessions and increased resource taxes.
With polls showing Scott Morrison in a trough, Labor has become more optimistic about its election prospects and Anthony Albanese is ditching any baggage in pursuit of a win.
In some quarters, the median Sydney home earns more from capital gains than the median worker earns from wages. Now’s a good time to wind back the measures that push prices up.