Discussions around negative gearing policies have intensified, with former PM Malcolm Turnbull noting that the issue is routinely examined by all governments.
Nothing gets Aussie politicians sweating like someone whispering “negative gearing” into a microphone. The latest debate has flared up like a barbecue at a rental inspection, with Peter Dutton warning that any change to negative gearing would send rents into the stratosphere. That’s right—if landlords can’t claim their tax perks, apparently we’ll all be sleeping in our cars by Christmas.
Meanwhile, Anthony Albanese is trying to Houdini his way out of the mess, insisting Labor has no plans to touch negative gearing—even though literally everyone remembers that one time they tried. The Coalition isn’t buying it, accusing Labor of “secret plans” and “trickiness,” while conveniently ignoring the fact that they themselves have done nothing about housing affordability except hold press conferences near construction sites.
Enter the Greens, who at least admit they want to cap negative gearing to just one investment property. Their pitch? If you can’t make your fortune off a single taxpayer-subsidised rental, maybe you shouldn’t be in property speculation at all. Fair. With over 2.2 million Aussies owning rentals and 950,000 negatively geared, this is less about economics and more about voter maths—and Labor's trying not to scare the boomers before May.
The whole debate is turning into a greatest hits tour of housing blame games. The PM is playing it safe. Dutton’s playing populist. And renters? Still playing “how much can I cut from groceries to make rent.” Sources: ABC News, The Nightly, National Tribune (19 April 2025)
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