Latest News & Commentary
Retiring to live on the fat of the land may not be possible – rents are falling
CoreLogic’s Quarterly Review of the residential property market released yesterday brings sobering news for land holders – particularly Australia’s 1.2 million strong Negatively Geared investor class. Rents are falling. Source: CoreLogic CoreLogic’s Tim Lawless...
Join the team at Prosper!
Prosper Australia is seeking expressions of interest for a researcher/campaigner. We need a talented individual with the character to drive change. We are a small NGO based in North Melbourne with a long history and an ambitious agenda. Join a team committed to...
Seize the Day, Scott Morrison – rid Australia of a bad tax and free up the land
The land supply equation in Australia - flashing red danger signals for years - has finally come to the attention of federal Treasurer Scott Morrison, who is charged with the task of advancing national prosperity. He may even be prompted into action. Notoriously...
Tim Pallas protects land tax revenues – and the people of Victoria
The Victorian Treasurer yesterday dismissed belly-aching by holders of valuable parcels whose private joy over the strong rises in land prices comes with a sting – their State Land Tax went up too. ‘‘The government is not considering reducing land tax rates in...
Exposed: Scomo’s ‘fix’ on housing costs a sop to Libs’ Big Developer donors
by Warwick Smith Warwick Smith smells a rat in Scomo's sudden solution to housing affordability – planning reform – coming just ten days after developers' call for same. SCOTT MORRISON has suddenly announced that he cares about housing affordability. This is...
NSW Premier Baird passes the Elixir bottle without taking a swig
NSW Finance Minister Dominic Perrottet floated the idea of exchanging Stamp Duty for State Land Tax in The Australian yesterday. We warmly welcomed his initiative and explained some of the big benefits this offered NSW. By 5.30pm yesterday, Philip Coorey had the...
Will Mike Baird seize the first-mover advantage for NSW – and drink all of the Premiers’ Elixir?
A prize awaits the first state Premier with the political capital and farsightedness to exchange Stamp Duty for State Land Tax. The move would be a magnet for economic activity. As economists repeat ad nauseum, it is all on the margin. Fresh investment – the Premiers’...
The Tax Men from Mars landed in ACT – and were asked to stay
Saturday's Australian Financial Review always needs a nice read and today it is the ACT government's progressive removal of Stamp Duty that increased council rates on a million dollar property from $2200 a few years ago to $3000. What a terrible thing to do! Mather,...
Prosper’s Survey asks aspiring Councillors to rate land not buildings
In its campaign to rid Australia of bad taxes, Prosper Australia surveyed Victorian municipal council candidates and asked their opinion on the rates issue. We explained the difference between Capital Improved Value (CIV) and Site Value (SV) and the economic arguments...
Andrews government funds Futbul – not people in need
The Australian Football League has bought the Docklands Stadium freehold asset that cost $460m to build in 2000 from the Andrews ALP Victorian government for $200m - allegedly to assist “tenant clubs struggling under onerous deals to play at the roofed venue.” In nine...
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