As a finance broker, I have spent many years working with clients on their property journey. From helping people buy their first home, to assisting families build an investment portfolio or plan for retirement, I have seen first-hand how interest rates, lending policy, property values and taxation can influence some of the biggest financial decisions people make.
That experience has taught me that property policy is rarely as simple as the headline suggests.
The 2026 Federal Budget proposes significant changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax. But for regions like the Fraser Coast, the bigger question is what these changes could mean for housing supply, affordability and the communities we are building for the future.
From 1 July 2027, negative gearing is proposed to be restricted for established residential properties purchased after 7:30pm on 12 May 2026. Rental losses on these properties will generally be limited, while investors in new builds retain existing tax benefits.
The Government is also proposing to replace the current 50 per cent CGT discount with an inflation-based system, applying to capital gains arising after 1 July 2027.
The policy intent is to encourage investment into new housing, reduce competition between investors and owner-occupiers, and improve housing affordability for first home buyers.
But property markets are complex. Tax policy is only one part of the equation. Land availability, planning approvals, infrastructure, construction costs, interest rates and workforce capacity all influence whether new homes actually get built.
That is particularly important on the Fraser Coast. We are experiencing population growth and strong demand for housing, while also needing to attract younger families and workers. We need to be proactive: unlock appropriate land, speed up planning and approvals, invest in enabling infrastructure, encourage a greater mix of housing and support new investment to deliver homes where they are needed.
For me, the conversation should go beyond whether these tax changes are good or bad. The bigger question is: will they help us build the right homes, in the right places, at prices people can afford, while creating the infrastructure, jobs and opportunities needed to support a growing Fraser Coast?
That is the measure that will ultimately matter.
