Submission on Capital Gains Tax Discount

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RE: Operation of the Capital Gains Tax Discount

The St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia (‘the Society’) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to this inquiry into the operation of the capital gains tax (CGT) discount. As one of Australia’s largest and oldest charitable networks, our work brings us into daily contact with people experiencing housing stress, poverty and financial insecurity. These experiences provide a practical lens through which we assess the effects of current tax settings on inequality, housing affordability and the wellbeing of low-income households.

The Society’s position is grounded in Catholic Social Teaching principles such as human dignity, the common good, and responsibility for one another. Our heritage calls on governments to shape economic policy in ways that promote fairness and allow all people to participate fully in society. For these reasons, the Society has long advocated for tax settings that contribute to a more equitable distribution of resources and, importantly, to a housing system that is accessible, affordable and stable.

This submission is presented in the context of a broader aim: to build a tax system that lowers inequality rather than amplifies it and helps deliver a fairer housing landscape for all Australians.