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Anthony Wolfenden
1 day ago
Anthony Wolfenden

🏠 THE 2026 BUDGET & PROPERTY INVESTORS: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY

— A note from a financial adviser and fellow investorWell, the Treasurer has delivered what he's calling "the most significant tax reform package in more than a quarter of a century." If you're a property investor — or thinking about becoming one — this budget deserves your full attention. Let me cut through the noise.✅ THE GOODExisting investors, breathe easy — your current properties are fully grandfathered. Any investment property purchased before 7:30pm last Tuesday is completely unaffected. Negative gearing continues as normal, and your CGT discount remains intact. No retrospective changes. That's a meaningful protection and frankly, better than many feared.There's also a genuine incentive preserved for new builds. Investors who construct new residential properties can still access the 50% CGT discount or choose the new indexation model — whichever works in their favour. If you've been considering a new build investment, this keeps that conversation very much alive.And the CGT indexation model? In high-inflation environments, you could actually end up paying less tax than under the old 50% flat discount. That's not something the headlines are saying loudly enough.⚠️ THE BADAny NOT new investment property purchased after budget night will lose access to negative gearing. New builds, on the other hand, may keep negative gearing to incentivise new construction. This is a fundamental shift in the economics of buying an established investment property. The tax deductibility that has underpinned many investors' cash flow strategies for decades is gone for those purchases.The new 30% minimum CGT tax from 1 July 2027 also removes a key timing strategy. Many investors have structured their exit plans around selling in a low-income year to minimise tax. That lever is being pulled away.For those holding discretionary trusts, a new 30% minimum tax kicks in from 1 July 2028. If your investment structure relies on income splitting through a family trust, you need to be sitting down with your accountant now — not later.Treasury also projects 35,000 fewer homes built over the next decade as investor appetite softens. Less supply puts upward pressure on prices in the medium term, which is an ironic outcome for a policy designed to help affordability.😬 THE UGLYLet's be honest: the rental market is the collateral damage here. Reduced investor participation means reduced rental supply. Treasury's own modelling suggests rents rise only $2/week — but I'd treat that estimate with some healthy scepticism. Markets move at the margins, and a meaningful pullback in investor demand in already-tight rental markets could sting renters far more than that figure implies.For prospective investors sitting on the fence right now, the window to buy under the old rules has already closed. If you were 6–12 months away from pulling the trigger on an established investment property, that decision just got significantly harder to justify on the numbers.So what should you do?Review your existing portfolio — no immediate action needed, but understand your future CGT position under indexation.If new builds were on your radar, move them to the top of the list — the favourable treatment for new construction is real.Trust structures need an urgent review — the 2028 changes are closer than they feel.Don't panic-sell — grandfathered properties remain valuable assets. Don't let the noise drive poor decisions.The rules of the game have changed. Property investment is definitely not dead — but the strategy needs to evolve. That's exactly what we're here to help you navigate.📩 Questions? Drop me a message or book a call. These changes are complex and the right answer is different for everyone.#PropertyInvestment #AustralianBudget2026 #TaxPlanning #FinancialAdvice #NegativeGearing #CGT #WealthBuilding ... See MoreSee Less

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🏠 THE 2026 BUDGET & PROPERTY INVESTORS: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY — A note from a financial adviser and fellow investor Well, the Treasurer has delivered what hes calling the most significant tax reform package in more than a quarter of a century. If youre a property investor — or thinking about becoming one — this budget deserves your full attention. Let me cut through the noise. ✅ THE GOOD Existing investors, breathe easy — your current properties are fully grandfathered. Any investment property purchased before 7:30pm last Tuesday is completely unaffected. Negative gearing continues as normal, and your CGT discount remains intact. No retrospective changes. Thats a meaningful protection and frankly, better than many feared. Theres also a genuine incentive preserved for new builds. Investors who construct new residential properties can still access the 50% CGT discount or choose the new indexation model — whichever works in their favour. If youve been considering a new build investment, this keeps that conversation very much alive. And the CGT indexation model? In high-inflation environments, you could actually end up paying less tax than under the old 50% flat discount. Thats not something the headlines are saying loudly enough. ⚠️ THE BAD Any NOT new investment property purchased after budget night will lose access to negative gearing. New builds, on the other hand, may keep negative gearing to incentivise new construction. This is a fundamental shift in the economics of buying an established investment property. The tax deductibility that has underpinned many investors cash flow strategies for decades is gone for those purchases. The new 30% minimum CGT tax from 1 July 2027 also removes a key timing strategy. Many investors have structured their exit plans around selling in a low-income year to minimise tax. That lever is being pulled away. For those holding discretionary trusts, a new 30% minimum tax kicks in from 1 July 2028. If your investment structure relies on income splitting through a family trust, you need to be sitting down with your accountant now — not later. Treasury also projects 35,000 fewer homes built over the next decade as investor appetite softens. Less supply puts upward pressure on prices in the medium term, which is an ironic outcome for a policy designed to help affordability. 😬 THE UGLY Lets be honest: the rental market is the collateral damage here. Reduced investor participation means reduced rental supply. Treasurys own modelling suggests rents rise only $2/week — but Id treat that estimate with some healthy scepticism. Markets move at the margins, and a meaningful pullback in investor demand in already-tight rental markets could sting renters far more than that figure implies. For prospective investors sitting on the fence right now, the window to buy under the old rules has already closed. If you were 6–12 months away from pulling the trigger on an established investment property, that decision just got significantly harder to justify on the numbers. So what should you do? Review your existing portfolio — no immediate action needed, but understand your future CGT position under indexation. If new builds were on your radar, move them to the top of the list — the favourable treatment for new construction is real. Trust structures need an urgent review — the 2028 changes are closer than they feel. Dont panic-sell — grandfathered properties remain valuable assets. Dont let the noise drive poor decisions. The rules of the game have changed. Property investment is definitely not dead — but the strategy needs to evolve. Thats exactly what were here to help you navigate. 📩 Questions? Drop me a message or book a call. These changes are complex and the right answer is different for everyone. #PropertyInvestment #AustralianBudget2026 #TaxPlanning #FinancialAdvice #NegativeGearing #CGT #WealthBuilding
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Anthony Wolfenden
1 day ago
Anthony Wolfenden

It's hard to remember the last time global headlines moved markets this fast — and this unpredictably.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly the situation involving Iran, has been a sharp reminder that geopolitical risk doesn't stay on the front page of newspapers — it finds its way into portfolios. What started the year as a period of relative calm has shifted considerably, and investors are now navigating a much more uncertain landscape.On the equity side, we've seen how quickly sentiment can swing. April delivered a powerful rally in global equities — driven largely by a rotation back into AI and technology stocks and a strong US corporate earnings season — but that recovery has masked some real underlying tension. Markets can look through geopolitical turbulence for a while, but when that turbulence starts to affect inflation expectations, energy prices, and central bank thinking, the calculus changes.That's exactly where fixed income becomes interesting again. The Iranian conflict, and broader instability in the Middle East, has reignited questions around oil supply, inflationary pressures, and global growth momentum. These are precisely the conditions where bonds and fixed interest assets can play a meaningful diversifying role — not because they're immune to volatility, but because the drivers of their returns are different from equities. When investors become genuinely fearful, the flight to quality is real, and fixed interest can behave quite differently to share markets.That said, fixed income isn't a simple safe haven right now either. Rising inflation expectations can weigh on bond prices, and the path for interest rates globally remains genuinely uncertain. This is a market where active management and thoughtful positioning within fixed income — thinking carefully about duration, credit quality, and geographic exposure — matters more than simply ticking a "defensive" box.The broader point I keep coming back to is this: the era of set-and-forget portfolio construction feels well and truly behind us. The new geopolitical order — fragmented alliances, resource nationalism, persistent inflationary pressures — looks like it could be a structural shift, not just a passing headline cycle. That has real implications for how portfolios should be built and maintained over the medium to long term.For clients, the most useful thing you can do right now is not panic, but also not ignore the signals. A well-diversified portfolio that genuinely balances growth and defensive assets, reviewed in the context of your personal goals, is still the most resilient response to uncertainty.If any of this has you thinking about your own investment mix — whether that's your exposure to equities, how your fixed interest allocation is positioned, or just wanting a second opinion — I'd love to have that conversation.Reach out anytime. That's what I'm here for.Anthony WolfendenAuthorised Representative | Intertek Financial Planning*This post is general information only and does not constitute personal financial advice. Please consider your own circumstances or speak with a licensed adviser before making investment decisions.*#Investing #GeopoliticalRisk ... See MoreSee Less

Its hard to remember the last time global headlines moved markets this fast — and this unpredictably. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly the situation involving Iran, has been a sharp reminder that geopolitical risk doesnt stay on the front page of newspapers — it finds its way into portfolios. What started the year as a period of relative calm has shifted considerably, and investors are now navigating a much more uncertain landscape. On the equity side, weve seen how quickly sentiment can swing. April delivered a powerful rally in global equities — driven largely by a rotation back into AI and technology stocks and a strong US corporate earnings season — but that recovery has masked some real underlying tension. Markets can look through geopolitical turbulence for a while, but when that turbulence starts to affect inflation expectations, energy prices, and central bank thinking, the calculus changes. Thats exactly where fixed income becomes interesting again. The Iranian conflict, and broader instability in the Middle East, has reignited questions around oil supply, inflationary pressures, and global growth momentum. These are precisely the conditions where bonds and fixed interest assets can play a meaningful diversifying role — not because theyre immune to volatility, but because the drivers of their returns are different from equities. When investors become genuinely fearful, the flight to quality is real, and fixed interest can behave quite differently to share markets. That said, fixed income isnt a simple safe haven right now either. Rising inflation expectations can weigh on bond prices, and the path for interest rates globally remains genuinely uncertain. This is a market where active management and thoughtful positioning within fixed income — thinking carefully about duration, credit quality, and geographic exposure — matters more than simply ticking a defensive box. The broader point I keep coming back to is this: the era of set-and-forget portfolio construction feels well and truly behind us. The new geopolitical order — fragmented alliances, resource nationalism, persistent inflationary pressures — looks like it could be a structural shift, not just a passing headline cycle. That has real implications for how portfolios should be built and maintained over the medium to long term. For clients, the most useful thing you can do right now is not panic, but also not ignore the signals. A well-diversified portfolio that genuinely balances growth and defensive assets, reviewed in the context of your personal goals, is still the most resilient response to uncertainty. If any of this has you thinking about your own investment mix — whether thats your exposure to equities, how your fixed interest allocation is positioned, or just wanting a second opinion — Id love to have that conversation. Reach out anytime. Thats what Im here for. Anthony Wolfenden Authorised Representative | Intertek Financial Planning *This post is general information only and does not constitute personal financial advice. Please consider your own circumstances or speak with a licensed adviser before making investment decisions.* #Investing #GeopoliticalRisk
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Anthony Wolfenden
1 day ago
Anthony Wolfenden

Mortgage holders have been carrying the weight of inflation control for too long — and it's worth asking whether there's a better way.

I came across a really interesting conversation recently with independent economist Chris Richardson, and it got me thinking. The basic question he raises is a simple but powerful one: why do we only ever reach for interest rates when we need to cool the economy? Every time inflation runs hot, the Reserve Bank lifts rates, repayments go up, and the same group of people — those with mortgages — bear almost all the pain. Meanwhile, renters, retirees, and people without debt feel a completely different version of the economy. And through all of this, the big banks have been posting record profits. That part is hard to ignore.So what are the alternatives? Richardson explores a couple of genuinely interesting ideas. One is using compulsory superannuation contributions as a lever — increasing the rate temporarily to pull money out of the economy and reduce spending pressure. Another is adjusting the GST, which would spread the financial impact more broadly across the population rather than concentrating it on borrowers. Neither idea is without complications, but the point is that we have more tools than we seem willing to use.From a financial planning perspective, this conversation matters because it highlights something we don't talk about enough — the uneven way economic policy lands on individuals. Depending on where you sit (homeowner, renter, retiree, business owner), your experience of "the economy" can look completely different. And that means your financial strategy needs to reflect your actual situation, not just the headlines.It also raises a worthwhile personal question: how exposed are you to interest rate risk right now? Is your cash flow resilient enough to absorb further changes if they come? And are there parts of your financial structure — savings, debt, investment mix — that could be working harder regardless of what the RBA does next?These are the kinds of conversations I find genuinely valuable to have with clients, because the answers are different for everyone.If any of this resonates and you'd like to think through how the current environment affects your own position, feel free to reach out. Happy to have a no-pressure chat.Anthony | Intertek Financial Planning*This post is general information only and does not constitute personal financial advice. Please consider your own circumstances or speak with a qualified adviser before making financial decisions.* ... See MoreSee Less

Mortgage holders have been carrying the weight of inflation control for too long — and its worth asking whether theres a better way. I came across a really interesting conversation recently with independent economist Chris Richardson, and it got me thinking. The basic question he raises is a simple but powerful one: why do we only ever reach for interest rates when we need to cool the economy? Every time inflation runs hot, the Reserve Bank lifts rates, repayments go up, and the same group of people — those with mortgages — bear almost all the pain. Meanwhile, renters, retirees, and people without debt feel a completely different version of the economy. And through all of this, the big banks have been posting record profits. That part is hard to ignore. So what are the alternatives? Richardson explores a couple of genuinely interesting ideas. One is using compulsory superannuation contributions as a lever — increasing the rate temporarily to pull money out of the economy and reduce spending pressure. Another is adjusting the GST, which would spread the financial impact more broadly across the population rather than concentrating it on borrowers. Neither idea is without complications, but the point is that we have more tools than we seem willing to use. From a financial planning perspective, this conversation matters because it highlights something we dont talk about enough — the uneven way economic policy lands on individuals. Depending on where you sit (homeowner, renter, retiree, business owner), your experience of the economy can look completely different. And that means your financial strategy needs to reflect your actual situation, not just the headlines. It also raises a worthwhile personal question: how exposed are you to interest rate risk right now? Is your cash flow resilient enough to absorb further changes if they come? And are there parts of your financial structure — savings, debt, investment mix — that could be working harder regardless of what the RBA does next? These are the kinds of conversations I find genuinely valuable to have with clients, because the answers are different for everyone. If any of this resonates and youd like to think through how the current environment affects your own position, feel free to reach out. Happy to have a no-pressure chat. Anthony | Intertek Financial Planning *This post is general information only and does not constitute personal financial advice. Please consider your own circumstances or speak with a qualified adviser before making financial decisions.*
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Anthony Wolfenden
3 days ago
Anthony Wolfenden

The ATO isn't quietly sitting back this year — and if you work with a trust or run your own consulting or contracting business, now is a good time to make sure your affairs are in order before 30 June.

As we head into FY27, here are the main areas we're seeing the ATO focus on — and what we're helping clients think through right now.**Trust distributions are still firmly in their sights**If you have a family trust, how income is distributed to beneficiaries continues to be an area the ATO is actively scrutinising. They're particularly interested in arrangements where distributions appear to reduce tax without a genuine economic or commercial basis — especially where distributions flow to adult children, related entities, or corporate beneficiaries at lower tax rates.The key question they're asking: is the distribution reflecting reality, or is it purely a tax outcome? If it's the latter, there's real risk of the ATO recharacterising those distributions and issuing amended assessments. If your trust deed, distribution minutes, and underlying rationale haven't been reviewed recently, that's worth doing before year end.**Personal Services Income — are you really running a business?**This one catches a lot of people off guard. If the majority of your income comes from your own skills and effort — think consultants, contractors, sole practitioners — the ATO has rules that may treat that income as personal services income (PSI). When PSI rules apply, you generally can't split that income across a company or trust to reduce tax.The ATO has been increasing its data-matching capability here, so if your structure was set up years ago and hasn't been reviewed, it's worth checking whether it still holds up under current rules.**What should you NOT do right now?**- Don't rush into last-minute distribution decisions without proper documentation- Don't assume a structure that worked five years ago is still compliant today- Don't make significant changes to your arrangements without talking to your adviser first — rushed decisions before 30 June can create bigger problems than they solve**What we're doing with clients**We're working alongside accountants to make sure clients aren't caught out — reviewing structures, flagging risk areas early, and making sure any planning is well-documented and defensible if the ATO ever comes knocking.If any of this sounds relevant to your situation, I'm happy to have a conversation. No obligation — sometimes just a quick chat is all it takes to know you're on the right track.Anthony | Intertek Financial Planning*This post is general information only and does not constitute personal financial or tax advice. Please speak with your adviser or accountant regarding your individual circumstances.* ... See MoreSee Less

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Anthony Wolfenden
3 days ago
Anthony Wolfenden

After a rocky start to 2026, global shares staged a notable recovery through April — and understanding what's driving that matters for every investor.

A few things are worth keeping on your radar right now. Technology stocks have been a standout performer, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq recently touching fresh peaks. Meanwhile, sectors like energy have faced more headwinds, reminding us that not everything moves together.One wildcard I'm watching closely: the geopolitical situation around the Strait of Hormuz. A prolonged closure would create real winners and losers across the market. Energy exporters outside the Middle East — think Australia, the US, and parts of Africa — could benefit from supply disruptions pushing prices higher. On the losing side, energy-importing nations and industries heavily dependent on oil shipping routes would feel the squeeze. Freight costs, inflation, and supply chain pressures would all come back into focus fast.Closer to home, the Australian market has had a more mixed ride, with financial stocks in particular seeing some sharp single-day swings recently.The key takeaway? Recoveries don't mean smooth sailing. Staying diversified and keeping a clear head when volatility returns is what tends to separate good outcomes from stressful ones.If you'd like to talk through how any of this fits your own situation, feel free to reach out — happy to chat.Anthony | Intertek Financial Planning*General information only. Not personal financial advice.* ... See MoreSee Less

After a rocky start to 2026, global shares staged a notable recovery through April — and understanding whats driving that matters for every investor. A few things are worth keeping on your radar right now. Technology stocks have been a standout performer, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq recently touching fresh peaks. Meanwhile, sectors like energy have faced more headwinds, reminding us that not everything moves together. One wildcard Im watching closely: the geopolitical situation around the Strait of Hormuz. A prolonged closure would create real winners and losers across the market. Energy exporters outside the Middle East — think Australia, the US, and parts of Africa — could benefit from supply disruptions pushing prices higher. On the losing side, energy-importing nations and industries heavily dependent on oil shipping routes would feel the squeeze. Freight costs, inflation, and supply chain pressures would all come back into focus fast. Closer to home, the Australian market has had a more mixed ride, with financial stocks in particular seeing some sharp single-day swings recently. The key takeaway? Recoveries dont mean smooth sailing. Staying diversified and keeping a clear head when volatility returns is what tends to separate good outcomes from stressful ones. If youd like to talk through how any of this fits your own situation, feel free to reach out — happy to chat. Anthony | Intertek Financial Planning *General information only. Not personal financial advice.*
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