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Noel Whittaker

Most housing affordability plans are a waste

Noel responds to Chris doubting it is possible to take the heat out of the market with tax changes, but he’s fine if the 50% CGT discount does not kick in for at least five years.

Don't ignore tax deductions on contributions

Under the new superannuation rules from 1 July 2017, how do salary sacrifice and the tax deductibility of super contributions work, separately or together? Don't overlook this super opportunity.

When age pensions were not welfare

It should be no surprise that many older Australians believe they have an entitlement to the age pension. Like an early version of the superannuation guarantee, pensions were once directly funded by personal tax.

How Canberra explained super changes to me

A conversation with Government officials on the proposed super changes shows there is some logic behind those numbers.

Time and tide should dampen negative gearing proposal

Estimates of the cost savings from abolishing negative gearing are overstated because the property becomes positively geared and incurs capital gains tax on sale, and allowing it on new homes only is dangerous.

There’s still time for some SMSFs to use 'anti-detriment' provisions

Superannuation's anti-detriment provisions may be abolished as part of the government's upcoming budget. It's worth checking whether your own circumstances can take advantage of these rules.

Latest Updates

Property

The 5% deposit scheme is bad for homeowners and Australia

An ‘affordability’ scheme making the county more vulnerable to economic shocks and contributing to the deteriorating financial situation of everyday Australians.

Investment strategies

Is defensive the new offensive?

Relatively boring, unglamorous, defensive stocks like Kroger and Allstate have quietly outperformed gilded tech giants, offering steady growth, visibility, and resilient returns in a market captivated by AI and flashier industries.

Shares

How the RBA scores on its inflation goal

The Reserve Bank continues to face criticism from all sides. A reminder of the RBA's mandate and a review of their track record in maintaining price stability since the early 1990s.

Investment strategies

Levered credit: A late cycle ingredient for drawdown pain

As credit spreads normalised through 2025, yield‑hungry investors have turned to leverage for high returns, uncomfortably echoing pre‑GFC behaviours. Investors need to be careful to understand the true risk‑return trade‑off.

Planning

The more things change… longevity just goes on increasing

Australia needs a major shift in longevity awareness, attitudes and behaviour if, as a community, we are to reap the benefits of increasing longevity. Adopting a national strategy is well overdue.

Property

The improving outlook of Australian commercial real estate

The sector is positioned to benefit from defensive and resilient income streams supported by embedded rental increase opportunities. 

Property

Seize hidden opportunities among 50+ home buyer schemes in Australia

There is a laundry list of government schemes to help Australian's struggling with housing affordability. Savvy buyers should take advantage to break into the property market.

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