Category Archives: Land tax

RN Breakfast interview on stamp duties and land taxes

States try tax reform to fix housing affordability On RN Breakfast with Fran Kelly I was interviewed by Max Chalmers for this segment on RN Breakfast about the transfer from stamp duties to land tax that is happening in the … Continue reading

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There is a fix for house prices – but Victoria has missed its opportunity again

By Warwick Smith This article was originally published at The Age on 2 May 2017. Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas’ 2017/18 budget contains a handful of measures aimed at improving housing affordability, including exempting first home buyers from stamp duty for … Continue reading

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TAXual healing – Interview on 2SER 107.3 FM Sydney

By Warwick Smith This morning I was talking tax on 2ser‘s breakfast program with Mitch Byatt. We focussed on state finances and today’s tax meeting between state premiers and the Prime Minister. An increase in the GST is on the … Continue reading

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Joe Hockey is beginning to understand not all taxes are created equal – The Guardian

By Warwick Smith Originally published at The Guardian. The treasurer’s endorsement of land tax in South Australia is an encouraging move away from his general opposition to taxation Joe Hockey recently said “I don’t like higher taxes; I am philosophically … Continue reading

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The diabolical problem of housing affordability

By Warwick Smith Fairfax economics editor, Peter Martin, recenly wrote a piece defending Joe Hockey’s suggestion that we should let first home buyers access part of their superannuation for buying a home while also abolishing negative gearing. Before reading Peter’s … Continue reading

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Our houses can’t make us all rich

By Warwick Smith First published at ABC’s The Drum Thu 23 Oct 2014, 10:42am While a recent report might suggest Aussies are the richest people in the world because of high house prices, the reality is the true beneficiaries of this … Continue reading

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Guardian article on infrastructure funding

This article was originally published in The Guardian Australia. How to make Australian infrastructure pay for itself – with no selloffs, and no tricks ‘Asset recycling’, as an approach to infrastructure investment, will only end up benefiting the banks. Taxing land … Continue reading

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Want to be healthy, wealthy and wise? Pay more tax.

The consistently measured and sensible Ken Henry this week criticised both major parties for promising not to raise taxes. The Labor party has promised not to increase the total federal government tax take beyond 23.5% and the Coalition have promised … Continue reading

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New article in The Conversation about land taxes

This just published today. Go here for the original. BCA wants your home taxed – and it’s actually a good idea By Warwick Smith, University of Melbourne Housing affordability is an issue that perennially haunts political discourse. It rarely becomes … Continue reading

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