Latest news with #CassandraGoldie
ABC News
6 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Welfare groups join union push for housing tax shake-up ahead of productivity talks
The Australian Council of Social Services has thrown its weight behind calls to wind back property investor tax breaks, setting up a potential housing flashpoint ahead of the government's economic round table next fortnight. It comes days after the Australian Council of Trade Unions urged Labor to tackle negative gearing and capital gains tax reform, but Australia's peak welfare body is also pressing for the billions in extra revenue from the tax changes invested in social housing. In its submission, ACOSS said the 50 per cent capital gains tax discount is "certainly fuelling the housing crisis" and should be halved over five years. Negative gearing, it said, should be phased out entirely over the same period for existing investments. "We are very clear we would phase out the very generous 50 per cent tax discount and get it down to 25 per cent so there'd be some tax reward for property investment but nowhere near as generous," ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie told the ABC. "If you've got capital, and you're thinking, where can I park it to really grow my wealth, you put it into property." ACTU secretary Sally McManus made a similar case on ABC's Insiders at the weekend, saying it was time to "bite the bullet" on property tax reform. While the two peak bodies are not coordinating their campaigns, their aligned positions revive a politically fraught debate Labor abandoned after losing the 2016 and 2019 elections with policies on negative gearing and capital gains tax. ACOSS wants revenue from the tax changes invested in social housing, arguing Australia has "among the highest home prices in the world" and rents that are "all too often unaffordable" with many tenants lacking security of tenure. The share of social housing has "fallen by one third from 6 per cent to 4 per cent over the last 30 years" — a trend it wants reversed to "at least its historic level of 6 per cent of dwellings by 2035, and to 10 per cent by 2045", with First Nations housing "a national priority". Nearly half of all Australian landlords had negatively geared properties in 2023, with the highest earners claiming tens of billions in tax concessions and loopholes. But business groups and some senior government figures privately argue welfare groups and the unions' proposed tax changes will do little to boost new housing supply, warning that investor demand underpins construction and removing incentives risks stalling projects. ACOSS's submission also urges faster action on climate change, calling for new building standards to achieve zero-carbon, climate-resilient homes and tougher rental rules to improve the energy performance of properties. The group said these measures would cut bills for low-income tenants while protecting them from extreme heat and weather. In recent weeks, the government has pared back expectations for the summit amid concern among the business community about a union-led ambush and fears the event could be used to justify tax crackdowns on employers and property investors. Despite the government billing the meeting as a contest of ideas, the ABC understands there will be no joint communique at its conclusion. Instead, Treasurer Jim Chalmers will deliver a wrap-up and nominate a handful of specific changes for implementation. Ahead of this year's election, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dismissed speculation Labor was planning to scale back the housing tax breaks, after it emerged Mr Chalmers had asked Treasury to model the impact of changes. The treasurer has asked that any proposals must be budget-neutral or budget-positive, but that "all ideas are on the table". The three-day round table will be held at Parliament House from August 19 to 21.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Productivity spruikers urged to keep battlers in mind
Tackling financial inequality is being touted as a productivity boost ahead of an economic think-fest designed to plot Australia's future. Raising revenue via tax reform and rethinking how community services are funded are on the wishlist of the Australian Council of Social Service ahead of the three-day Economic Reform Roundtable later in August. Lifting GST levels to reduce reliance on income tax would "undermine fairness" and do nothing to improve economic efficiency, the council's chief executive Cassandra Goldie said. "The extra revenue we need to fund care and community services, schools, and an income support system that protects people from poverty must come from those with the most capacity to pay - not those doing it toughest," she said. "The government must not waste this historic chance to put Australia on a fairer, more productive and more sustainable financial footing." The council's submission calls for a halving of the capital gains tax discount, a 15 per cent tax on superannuation retirement accounts and a commonwealth royalty payment for offshore gas. It urges the government to strengthen the not-for-profit sector by supporting digital transformation and making service users the centrepiece of governance and program design. All policies developed at the roundtable should be assessed on how they improve the wellbeing of people and the natural environment while taking gender and other factors into account, the council said. "We must better prepare and train people for jobs and finally lift income support to levels that don't trap people in poverty and destitution," Dr Goldie said. The Productivity Commission has proposed cutting the income tax rate to 20 per cent for firms earning less than $1 billion while introducing a five per cent tax on cashflow, which it says would reap $14 billion without worsening budget sustainability. But business groups argue productivity will not be fixed by taxing companies and making Australia less competitive. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said finding ways to afford tax reform was crucial. "Some people have embraced that challenge. Others haven't," he said. "It's a good thing (the commission) is testing some of these difficult ideas and trade-offs ... I'm not surprised not everybody forms an orderly queue, but it's an important input."
West Australian
6 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Productivity spruikers urged to keep battlers in mind
Tackling financial inequality is being touted as a productivity boost ahead of an economic think-fest designed to plot Australia's future. Raising revenue via tax reform and rethinking how community services are funded are on the wishlist of the Australian Council of Social Service ahead of the three-day Economic Reform Roundtable later in August. Lifting GST levels to reduce reliance on income tax would "undermine fairness" and do nothing to improve economic efficiency, the council's chief executive Cassandra Goldie said. "The extra revenue we need to fund care and community services, schools, and an income support system that protects people from poverty must come from those with the most capacity to pay - not those doing it toughest," she said. "The government must not waste this historic chance to put Australia on a fairer, more productive and more sustainable financial footing." The council's submission calls for a halving of the capital gains tax discount, a 15 per cent tax on superannuation retirement accounts and a commonwealth royalty payment for offshore gas. It urges the government to strengthen the not-for-profit sector by supporting digital transformation and making service users the centrepiece of governance and program design. All policies developed at the roundtable should be assessed on how they improve the wellbeing of people and the natural environment while taking gender and other factors into account, the council said. "We must better prepare and train people for jobs and finally lift income support to levels that don't trap people in poverty and destitution," Dr Goldie said. The Productivity Commission has proposed cutting the income tax rate to 20 per cent for firms earning less than $1 billion while introducing a five per cent tax on cashflow, which it says would reap $14 billion without worsening budget sustainability. But business groups argue productivity will not be fixed by taxing companies and making Australia less competitive. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said finding ways to afford tax reform was crucial. "Some people have embraced that challenge. Others haven't," he said. "It's a good thing (the commission) is testing some of these difficult ideas and trade-offs ... I'm not surprised not everybody forms an orderly queue, but it's an important input."
Perth Now
23-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Calls for consumption tax to be off the roundtable menu
A push to raise the GST as part of the government's economic roundtable is being met with resistance, with the community services sector warning it would increase the burden on low-income earners. A number of prominent economists have advocated raising or broadening the 10 per cent GST to fund cuts to less-efficient levies such as income taxes. Australian Council of Social Service chief executive Cassandra Goldie objects to the proposal on the grounds it would increase inequality. "We need a fairer and more effective tax system that secures the revenue we need to fund essential services and safety nets while encouraging more productive investment to create jobs and lift living standards," she said. "This can be done with reforms that lift productivity and overall revenue without increasing the burden for people on low and modest incomes." While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said increasing the tax on consumption does not fit with his agenda, Labor is pledging to overhaul Australia's tax system as part of an economic roundtable in August. The summit is aimed at kick-starting the nation's stalled productivity growth and living standards. Shifting from income to consumption tax would ease the burden on younger working Australians but it would also widen wealth inequality, deepen poverty and deliver only modest economic efficiency gains, a report produced by the council found. Broadly speaking, personal income tax is more progressive than the GST because people pay a higher rate the more they earn, whereas low-income earners tend to pay a higher proportion of their money on consumption taxes than people on higher incomes who save more. Instead, the government should take steps that reduce inequality while lifting productivity and revenue, report author Peter Davidson found. To that aim, they could tighten loopholes for family and corporate trusts, limit negative gearing, reduce tax concessions on superannuation and halve the 50 per cent discount on the capital gains tax. Changing the capital gains tax discount has been backed in by the Greens and Labor-aligned think tank the McKell Institute, which argued it could be tweaked to encourage new housing supply and make it easier for Australians to own their own home. Prospective homebuyers hoping for lower mortgage rates could get a clearer indication of the Reserve Bank's next move on Thursday when governor Michele Bullock speaks for the first time since a surprise surge in unemployment last week. Ms Bullock will talk about the RBA's dual mandate of maintaining low inflation and unemployment in a speech to the Anika Foundation in Sydney.
The Advertiser
22-06-2025
- General
- The Advertiser
Renters fearful of speaking up about essential repairs
Almost seven in 10 private housing tenants worry about asking for repairs in case they face a rent increase. A survey of more than a thousand renters across Australia has also found a third would be unable to afford a five per cent increase on what they're currently paying. Half the respondents live in homes that need repairs and one in 10 need them carried out urgently. Conducted by the Australian Council of Social Security, University of NSW, Sydney-led Poverty and Inequality Partnership, National Shelter and the National Association of Renter Organisations, the study is the 26th published by the advocacy network. It found 31 per cent of rental homes have cockroach, ant or other pest problems, almost a quarter are leaky and one in five have issues with hot water, while almost as many feature mouldy bathrooms. Rents have, meanwhile, surged a staggering 47 per cent in the past five years amid calls for nationwide rental increase limits. Even so, researchers found 68 per cent of tenants fear asking their landlord to repair their residence would mean upping the rent, 56 per suspect it would get them evicted and 52 per cent worry that they would be placed on a blacklist stopping them renting another property. The findings were magnified for tenants in disadvantaged groups, especially the unemployed, poorly educated and disabled. ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie says the study highlights the serious failings of Australia's housing market. "It is completely unacceptable that people in the private rental market are nervous about asking for essential repairs because they fear a rent increase or eviction notice," she said. "Everyone deserves to be able to live in secure homes without the constant fear of losing their home." National Association of Renters' Organisations spokesman Leo Patterson said the report validated what tenants already knew. "Despite extensive rental laws on paper, it exposes the stark gap between legislation and reality," he said. "Weak oversight of rental costs, property standards and industry practices have denied renters the benefits of a safe, stable and healthy home." The agencies involved in the project are calling for a limit to the amount and frequency of rent increases, improved legal security via the abolition of no-grounds evictions and more funding for tenants' advice services. Almost seven in 10 private housing tenants worry about asking for repairs in case they face a rent increase. A survey of more than a thousand renters across Australia has also found a third would be unable to afford a five per cent increase on what they're currently paying. Half the respondents live in homes that need repairs and one in 10 need them carried out urgently. Conducted by the Australian Council of Social Security, University of NSW, Sydney-led Poverty and Inequality Partnership, National Shelter and the National Association of Renter Organisations, the study is the 26th published by the advocacy network. It found 31 per cent of rental homes have cockroach, ant or other pest problems, almost a quarter are leaky and one in five have issues with hot water, while almost as many feature mouldy bathrooms. Rents have, meanwhile, surged a staggering 47 per cent in the past five years amid calls for nationwide rental increase limits. Even so, researchers found 68 per cent of tenants fear asking their landlord to repair their residence would mean upping the rent, 56 per suspect it would get them evicted and 52 per cent worry that they would be placed on a blacklist stopping them renting another property. The findings were magnified for tenants in disadvantaged groups, especially the unemployed, poorly educated and disabled. ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie says the study highlights the serious failings of Australia's housing market. "It is completely unacceptable that people in the private rental market are nervous about asking for essential repairs because they fear a rent increase or eviction notice," she said. "Everyone deserves to be able to live in secure homes without the constant fear of losing their home." National Association of Renters' Organisations spokesman Leo Patterson said the report validated what tenants already knew. "Despite extensive rental laws on paper, it exposes the stark gap between legislation and reality," he said. "Weak oversight of rental costs, property standards and industry practices have denied renters the benefits of a safe, stable and healthy home." The agencies involved in the project are calling for a limit to the amount and frequency of rent increases, improved legal security via the abolition of no-grounds evictions and more funding for tenants' advice services. Almost seven in 10 private housing tenants worry about asking for repairs in case they face a rent increase. A survey of more than a thousand renters across Australia has also found a third would be unable to afford a five per cent increase on what they're currently paying. Half the respondents live in homes that need repairs and one in 10 need them carried out urgently. Conducted by the Australian Council of Social Security, University of NSW, Sydney-led Poverty and Inequality Partnership, National Shelter and the National Association of Renter Organisations, the study is the 26th published by the advocacy network. It found 31 per cent of rental homes have cockroach, ant or other pest problems, almost a quarter are leaky and one in five have issues with hot water, while almost as many feature mouldy bathrooms. Rents have, meanwhile, surged a staggering 47 per cent in the past five years amid calls for nationwide rental increase limits. Even so, researchers found 68 per cent of tenants fear asking their landlord to repair their residence would mean upping the rent, 56 per suspect it would get them evicted and 52 per cent worry that they would be placed on a blacklist stopping them renting another property. The findings were magnified for tenants in disadvantaged groups, especially the unemployed, poorly educated and disabled. ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie says the study highlights the serious failings of Australia's housing market. "It is completely unacceptable that people in the private rental market are nervous about asking for essential repairs because they fear a rent increase or eviction notice," she said. "Everyone deserves to be able to live in secure homes without the constant fear of losing their home." National Association of Renters' Organisations spokesman Leo Patterson said the report validated what tenants already knew. "Despite extensive rental laws on paper, it exposes the stark gap between legislation and reality," he said. "Weak oversight of rental costs, property standards and industry practices have denied renters the benefits of a safe, stable and healthy home." The agencies involved in the project are calling for a limit to the amount and frequency of rent increases, improved legal security via the abolition of no-grounds evictions and more funding for tenants' advice services. Almost seven in 10 private housing tenants worry about asking for repairs in case they face a rent increase. A survey of more than a thousand renters across Australia has also found a third would be unable to afford a five per cent increase on what they're currently paying. Half the respondents live in homes that need repairs and one in 10 need them carried out urgently. Conducted by the Australian Council of Social Security, University of NSW, Sydney-led Poverty and Inequality Partnership, National Shelter and the National Association of Renter Organisations, the study is the 26th published by the advocacy network. It found 31 per cent of rental homes have cockroach, ant or other pest problems, almost a quarter are leaky and one in five have issues with hot water, while almost as many feature mouldy bathrooms. Rents have, meanwhile, surged a staggering 47 per cent in the past five years amid calls for nationwide rental increase limits. Even so, researchers found 68 per cent of tenants fear asking their landlord to repair their residence would mean upping the rent, 56 per suspect it would get them evicted and 52 per cent worry that they would be placed on a blacklist stopping them renting another property. The findings were magnified for tenants in disadvantaged groups, especially the unemployed, poorly educated and disabled. ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie says the study highlights the serious failings of Australia's housing market. "It is completely unacceptable that people in the private rental market are nervous about asking for essential repairs because they fear a rent increase or eviction notice," she said. "Everyone deserves to be able to live in secure homes without the constant fear of losing their home." National Association of Renters' Organisations spokesman Leo Patterson said the report validated what tenants already knew. "Despite extensive rental laws on paper, it exposes the stark gap between legislation and reality," he said. "Weak oversight of rental costs, property standards and industry practices have denied renters the benefits of a safe, stable and healthy home." The agencies involved in the project are calling for a limit to the amount and frequency of rent increases, improved legal security via the abolition of no-grounds evictions and more funding for tenants' advice services.
