The ALP is proposing a raft of tax changes that will negatively impact after tax outcomes for many Australian investors should they be enacted. Arguably the most controversial is the removal of cash refunds of franking credits which we have written extensively on in 2018, but they are also proposing... Show More
From an economics perspective, the Federal election is shaping up as one to forget. Australia’s economic growth is currently running at less than our population growth, with this situation commonly being labelled as a “per capita recession”. Neither major party is putting forward anything material on tax reform or productivity... Show More
Australia heads to the polls this year for a federal election, most likely on 11 or 18 May. While voting intentions tend to narrow and tilt toward the incumbent as polling day draws closer, current voting intentions suggest there will be a change in government this year from the Liberal... Show More
The Federal Labor Party has stated it would change the dividend imputation system if returned to power this year. This is expected to see a spike in the number of off-market share buy-backs. The big question for investors is: should you participate? Show More
Australia heads to the polls this year for a federal election, most likely on 11 or 18 May. While voting intentions tend to narrow and tilt toward the incumbent as polling day draws closer, current voting intentions suggest there will be a change in government this year from the Liberal... Show More
The negative effects of ALP policies on housing, SMSFs and profit margins are already impacting certain sectors of the market, such as banks, residential property developers, homebuilders and retailers. Show More
Labor’s proposed tax changes could result in investors experiencing a decline in income as many may be unable to redeem surplus franking credits. For such investors holding bank hybrids it is tempting to consider that shifting to bank subordinated debt may be the answer. But is this really the case? Show More
Forecast for shares income, including from the banks, remains solid. For the “glass half empty” thinkers, there is plenty of bad news to focus on in 2019 – the Trump trade war, Brexit, falling house prices, the final report of the Financial Services Royal Commission, political risk and more. Show More
In our previous paper entitled “Which superannuation funds may be affected by the ALP franking credit proposal” we found that members of many superannuation funds, not just SMSFs, may be impacted by the ALP proposal to no longer refund franking credits. In this new paper, we consider which individuals, investing... Show More
While I'm yet to observe a popular way for governments to tax the masses, Labor's proposals on franking credits has focussed the attention of one very local and agitated demographic in particular: wealthy retirees with the time and inclination to rile the boffins that have suggested such an impost. Show More
