lee wrote on Feb 20^th, 2026 at 4:09pm:


Exactly: why should rent-seekers be able to claim expenses against their investment, to reduce their overall tax liability?

freediver wrote on Feb 20^th, 2026 at 6:10pm:


No, but the topic is housing investment, and I have just shown you the exorbitant privilege accruing to Oz rent-seekers (aka as "investors") , which is distorting the housing market.

Housing investors in Australia access unique tax benefits, primarily through negative gearing, which allows them to offset rental losses (where expenses exceed income) against their salary or other income, reducing their overall tax liability.

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No, that's not why I "typed google" , but we can see  - unlike google -  YOU have no idea what you are talking about....  hence you can't critique the answer to your question about tax-advantaged investment.

At least lee had a shot - but he put his foot in his mouth, defending tax-advantaged 'investment' by rent-seekers.

Just like you simply ignored the fact Menzies, in the Keynesian deficit spending era,  ensured housing building costs and retainprices were affordable by average wage earners.

Keep demonstrating how your 'small government'/"other people's money" (ie 'taxpayer money' according to Thatcher) blind ideology cripples your brain.

Bobby. wrote on Feb 20^th, 2026 at 3:23pm:


Correct.

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So we need CONTROLLED immigration which increases the intake of builders - unless you want the Oz population to shrink:

(google)

Australia's population would likely shrink without immigration. With a fertility rate of roughly 1.6 to 1.7 babies per woman—well below the replacement rate of natural population growth (births minus deaths) is insufficient to maintain current levels

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Correct. Albo  is attempting to correct it, with free TAFE and incentives for building apprentices - which the 'small government' ideologues in the Coal-ition voted against.

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Correct...don't tell lee or FD, you can see their responses above.

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Yes,  red tape should be minimized, while ensuring standards are maintained; and government charges often arise because of misconstrued budgetary concerns.

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Partly correct: Labor at least offers some government investment (though woefully inaquate, eg the HAFF) , but is constrained by the same Thatcherite 'small government' BS as the Conservatives.

freediver wrote on Feb 21^st, 2026 at 11:03am:


Housing investors ie rent seekers, NOT first home buyers who want a place to live in for life, rather than as a money making investment -  in Australia access unique tax benefits.

How difficult is that to understand (other than by a blind, crippled-brain 'small government' ideologue?)

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You already said that, without explaining the "error" in the google quote.

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....primarily through negative gearing, which allows them to offset rental losses (where expenses exceed income) against their salary or other income, reducing their overall tax liability.

Simple plain english; these benefits combined with CGT discount  are rarely available outside Oz.

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By incentivizing  rent-seeking "investors", rather than 1st home buyers who don't want to become rent seekers,  but want an add affordable  house to live in, into the market.

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No -  because the above arguments  are irrefutable, except by self-interested "freedom" ideologues who are happy to see an increase in the rent-seeking class in Oz, therby condemning more Aussies to the status of renter-serfs for life  (in the absence of affordable rents in public housing).   

Landlord upset in Victoria :

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Gz0C197DUTM

thegreatdivide wrote on Feb 21^st, 2026 at 11:47am:



Perhaps you can share any "intelligence" you may have. The CGT discount is in place of phantom gains. due to inflation. If you sell something and then buy again you have to pay the new "market price", not the previous price before inflation.

freediver wrote on Feb 21^st, 2026 at 1:33pm:



Google AI:


Australian resident individual investors who have held an investment property for over 12 months are generally entitled to a 50% Capital Gains Tax (CGT) discount. This concession reduces the net capital gain by half, meaning only 50% of the profit is added to your taxable income and taxed at your marginal rate.

Key Aspects of the CGT Discount for Property:
Eligibility: You must be an Australian resident for tax purposes, an individual, or a trust (companies are generally not eligible).


12-Month Rule: The property must be held for more than 12 months, excluding the dates of acquisition and sale.


Calculation: If you sell an investment property for a $200,000 gain, you only report $100,000 as taxable income.


Cost Base Reduction: The gain is calculated as the sale price minus the "cost base" (purchase price + buying/selling costs).
Foreign Residents: If you were a foreign resident for any part of the ownership period, the 50% discount may be reduced or not applicable.


Partial Main Residence: If your investment property was once your main residence, you may be entitled to a partial exemption, with the remaining gain potentially eligible for the 50% discount.