Submission on the Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026
RE: Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026 and a related bill
The St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia (the Society) welcomes the opportunity to provide this submission. The Society has advocated for changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount for many years and fully supports a swift passage of this Bill.
Every day the Society helps people across Australia meet their most urgent needs. This assistance frequently involves securing stable, safe and affordable accommodation. Over time, suitable housing options for people on low to moderate incomes have become extremely limited. Where once regional Australia offered affordable rents, those options are no longer available. Vacancy rates have collapsed. Wait lists for social and affordable housing continue to grow. Further, average income earners have found it increasingly difficult to rent or own homes near their place of work. Potential first home buyers have been priced out of the market by investors and this in turn has contributed to rising home prices.
The Society supports this Bill for two reasons – firstly, it is a step in the journey of a fairer housing system, designed for people, not profits, and; secondly, it helps address inequity in our tax system.