Here's something that's been bugging me about the way this government has chosen to use this moment.

Labor won in a landslide. A genuine, hard-to-argue-with mandate from the Australian public. That kind of political capital doesn't come around often, and when it does, the smart play is to use it wisely — broadly, decisively, and in a way that builds goodwill rather than burning it.So what did they do with it? For the first two years, virtually nothing. Timid doesn't even cover it. They seemed almost afraid of their own majority.And then, when they finally decided to act, they spent what felt like the bulk of their political goodwill on changes that primarily affect property investors and small businesses — moves that generated enormous noise, divided public opinion, and arguably didn't shift the needle much on the underlying issues they were trying to solve.Here's what puzzles me from a strategic standpoint. Why pour everything into one contentious change when there's a whole list of reforms sitting there that most Australians would've cheered?Think about it. Whistleblower protections that actually have teeth. A genuine crackdown on gambling advertising that most parents in the country would support. Meaningful action to ensure large multinationals pay something resembling a fair share of tax in Australia — not the current arrangement where profits flow offshore and the bill lands with ordinary businesses and workers. A coherent energy strategy that positions Australia as an actual hub rather than a country that exports its resources and imports everything else. And a real, honest conversation about AUKUS and whether that commitment makes sense for where we are as a nation.None of those are radical. Most of them are broadly popular. And here's the thing — acting on several of them at once wouldn't have cost significantly more political capital than focusing on just one. In fact, a bold, multi-pronged agenda might have actually consolidated public support…rather than squandering it. ... See MoreSee Less

Superannuation is having a big moment right now — and if you have an SMSF or are thinking about one, there's a lot worth paying attention to.

Between recent budget announcements, evolving tax rules, and a shifting regulatory environment, the super landscape is changing faster than most people realise. Here's a plain-English summary of what's on the radar:**SMSF tax advantages are still real — but need careful planning.** SMSFs continue to offer genuine flexibility when it comes to investment choice, estate planning, and tax management. But the rules around how that tax is applied are being scrutinised more closely than ever. If you have a larger super balance, Division 296 planning — which targets the tax treatment of high balances — is something worth discussing proactively with your adviser rather than reactively.**Valuing complex SMSF assets is a real challenge.** The ATO has clear expectations around market value reporting for assets inside an SMSF. Things like unlisted shares, property, and business real property require careful, methodology-aligned valuations each year. Getting this wrong creates compliance risk.**Insurance inside super is changing.** Fee structures and default insurance arrangements inside super funds continue to evolve. It's worth reviewing whether the cover you have still makes sense — both in terms of what you're paying and what you're actually protected for.**Regulatory levies are a growing concern.** The CSLR (Compensation Scheme of Last Resort) levy is placing increased cost pressure on the advice profession — and ultimately, that has flow-on effects for consumers. It's a conversation the industry is having seriously, and one we think deserves more public attention.**Contribution caps and key limits change regularly.** Rather than quote figures that may have already moved, I'd encourage you to check the current year's caps at ato.gov.au or reach out directly — your adviser can confirm exactly where the limits sit right now… ... See MoreSee Less

Big changes are reshaping the Australian property landscape right now — and if you own investment property, it's worth paying close attention.

The 2026–27 Federal Budget, handed down on 12 May, has been described as one of the most significant shake-ups to Australia's tax system in a generation. The headline items affecting property investors include proposed changes to negative gearing and Capital Gains Tax treatment. These aren't small tweaks — they have the potential to meaningfully influence investment decisions, cashflow planning, and long-term portfolio strategy for anyone holding real estate.So what does this actually mean in practice?For existing property investors, the key question is how proposed CGT changes might affect the after-tax return when you eventually sell. The way gains are calculated and taxed can have a significant impact on your net outcome — and changes to the CGT discount or the way losses are applied could shift the numbers considerably. Your adviser can walk you through what the current proposals mean for your specific situation.On negative gearing, the conversation is still evolving. Whether changes are grandfathered for existing properties, or applied more broadly, will matter enormously to anyone weighing up whether to hold, sell, or invest further. It's also worth noting there are potential interactions with trust structures — another area flagged in this year's budget — which could affect how some investors hold their property assets.Interestingly, there are also suggestions that changes to CGT treatment inside the superannuation system could make certain structures more attractive for property-related investments going forward. The detail here is still unfolding, so it's one to watch closely.The broader property market itself remains active, with equity markets continuing to perform and investor sentiment still reasonably strong — though as always, conditions vary significantly by location and asset type.The bottom… ... See MoreSee Less

When a farmer in Iowa slaps a tariff on Chinese steel, a manufacturer in Melbourne starts sweating over their supply chain. That's the world we're living in right now.

The MAGA movement has reshaped global economics in ways that most people are still catching up with. And it's not just America. We've seen echoes of the same energy with Brexit in the UK, the rise of nationalist parties across Europe, and closer to home, growing political pressure around immigration, housing, and cost of living. The common thread? Disruption is the point.Here's the thing about disruption — it creates opportunity. Real, genuine opportunity. But only for the people who see it coming and position themselves ahead of it.When Trump's tariff announcements rattled global markets earlier this year, we saw sharp swings in the Australian dollar, volatility in our share market, and uncertainty ripple through sectors like resources, agriculture, and manufacturing. Some investors panicked. A smaller group asked a different question — *what does this mean for my portfolio, and how do I get ahead of it?*That's the divide that matters.Populist movements, whether it's MAGA in the US, Farage's Reform UK, or any version of it here, tend to create short-term noise and long-term structural shifts. Trade relationships get redrawn. Supply chains move. Industries that were comfortable suddenly aren't. And new ones emerge.For everyday Australians, the risk is this — if you're not paying attention, you're absorbing the chaos without any of the upside. Rising costs, a wobbling dollar, superannuation balances bouncing around, and a job market that's quietly shifting under your feet. That's not a fun place to be.The people who come out the other side of these periods well aren't the ones who predicted everything perfectly. They're the ones who had a clear financial position, understood their risk exposure, and had someone in their corner helping them make sense of the noise.Chaos is not inherently bad if you're prepared for it. But preparation takes honest conversation about where you actually stand — your investments, your super, your income, your protection. Not where you *think* you stand.If the last few months have made you feel uncertain about your financial future, that feeling is worth paying attention to.I'd genuinely enjoy a conversation about what this environment means for your situation specifically. Feel free to reach out or send me a message — no pressure, just a good honest chat.Anthony WolfendenAuthorised Representative, Intertek Financial Planning*General information only. Not personal financial advice. Please consider your own circumstances or speak with a qualified adviser before making financial decisions.* ... See MoreSee Less

The Federal Budget has just delivered some of the biggest investment tax changes Australia has seen in decades — and if you own property or invest outside of super, it's worth paying close attention.

Here's a plain-language breakdown of what's changed and what it could mean for property investors in particular.**Capital Gains Tax is being overhauled.**The existing CGT discount system is being replaced with an inflation-adjusted approach. For property investors, this is a significant shift — the way gains are calculated and taxed on sale will change. Importantly, analysis from investment managers suggests property investments are likely to face bigger tax impacts than equities under the new regime. If you're holding investment property with a long-term view, this is worth modelling through with your adviser.**Negative gearing is being limited — but not everywhere.**Changes to negative gearing are part of this Budget, and there's nuance here that's easy to miss. Shares and commercial property appear to remain fully negative gearable under the proposed changes, and there are also exemptions being flagged around build-to-rent and affordable housing programs. The details matter here, so don't rely on headlines alone.**Trusts are in the crosshairs.**The taxation of discretionary trusts is also changing. There are some important carve-outs — including exemptions for primary production income and certain testamentary trust arrangements — that aren't getting much airtime in the media coverage. If you use a trust structure for investment or estate planning, this deserves a closer look.**What's the good news?**Superannuation remains largely unaffected by these changes, with favourable tax treatment in super funds preserved — including the continuation of franking credits. For investors who have been building wealth through super, the Budget actually reinforces the long-term value of that strategy.**What should property investors be doing right now?**These reforms are broad, and the interactions between CGT, negative gearing, and trust rules mean that the impact on any individual will depend on their specific situation. A blanket reaction — selling up or restructuring — could create more problems than it solves. The right move is to review your position with a qualified adviser who understands both the tax and investment implications.This post is general information only and not personal financial advice. Everyone's situation is different, and what applies to your neighbour may not apply to you.If you'd like to talk through how any of these changes might affect your position, feel free to reach out — I'm happy to have that conversation.Anthony Wolfenden | Authorised Representative (1242381)#FederalBudget #PropertyInvestors #TaxReform #FinancialAdvice ... See MoreSee Less

Last night's federal budget landed with a thud — and if you're a property investor, small business owner, or anyone planning around superannuation, there's a lot to unpack.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers described it as the "most ambitious in decades," and for once that's not just political spin. Here are the changes that are most likely to affect savvy investors and small business owners right now:**Capital Gains Tax (CGT)**The government has proposed changes to CGT concessions. If you hold investment assets across different structures, understanding how these changes apply to each one will be important — the detail matters here.**Negative Gearing — watch this space**Proposed reforms to negative gearing arrangements are firmly on the table. If you hold investment properties or are considering expanding your portfolio, this is one to watch closely. The detail will matter enormously here, and the timing of any changes could influence your strategy before they take effect.**Trust distributions — new tax treatment**There are proposed changes to how trust distributions are taxed. For small business owners who use family trusts for income distribution, this could significantly alter the tax efficiency of that structure. Getting across the detail early gives you more time to plan.**Superannuation — largely unchanged**For most people, the superannuation rules remain largely unchanged from previous legislation. The main exception continues to be Division 296, which was already legislated and imposes an additional tax on large superannuation balances. On a more positive note, Transition to Retirement Income Streams (TRIS) are being highlighted as a potentially useful planning tool — they can be used alongside salary sacrifice to improve tax outcomes, rebalance super between spouses, and help prepare for the impact of Div 296. Speak to your adviser about whether a TRIS strategy might be relevant for your situation.**The bottom line**This budget touches property, shares, and trusts all at once — which is unusual. The complexity is real, and the interactions between these changes mean that what looks straightforward on the surface may not be once you apply it to your specific situation. These proposals also still need to pass Parliament, so timing and implementation details may shift.This is general information only and doesn't take your personal circumstances into account. For specific figures, current caps, or thresholds, visit ato.gov.au or speak with your adviser directly.If you'd like to talk through what any of this means for your situation, feel free to reach out — I'm happy to have a conversation.Anthony Wolfenden | Authorised Representative (1242381)#FederalBudget #SmallBusiness #InvestorInsights #Superannuation ... See MoreSee Less