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Articles by Tom Crowley
Could Labor's trust tax be as much as 60 per cent? Yes, but there's a reason
Try to understand Labor's proposal to levy a 30 per cent new tax on trust funds and you can fall quickly down a rabbit hole. This bewildering area of tax law can confuse even seasoned observers. But you don't need expertise to raise an eyebrow at the claim, made by some of the government's critics, that some small business owners could be stung with a tax rate of 60 per cent or more. That sounds a lot higher than 30 per cent. So is the claim true?
Liberals insist EU free trade position not settled, despite Canavan's assertion
Nationals leader Matt Canavan's claim that both Nationals and Liberals are against a slated European Union trade deal has angered some Liberals who privately insist the issue has not been settled. In an opinion piece published in The Australian today, Senator Canavan said the deal landed by Trade Minister Don Farrell would "weaken Australia's sovereignty on climate change policy" and was bad for the steel industry and some farmers.
Program: Coalition, Greens fight Labor on trusts tax
The Federal Government's proposed new tax on trusts is facing opposition on multiple political fronts. The Treasurer Jim Chalmers has introduced a bill to the parliament today to impose a minimum 30% tax on discretionary trusts. But both the Coalition and the Greens are calling for a Senate Inquiry into the legislation, warning the tax is unfair for different reasons. The Treasurer Jim Chalmers has introduced a bill to parliament to impose a minimum 30 per cent tax on discretionary trusts.
Greens concerned private school fees paid out of trusts could escape Labor's 30pc tax
Parents who pay private school fees from their trust funds could escape Labor's proposed trust tax, in what the Greens say is a "loophole" that must be closed. Treasurer Jim Chalmers will today unveil a bill to impose the 30 per cent minimum tax on some trusts. The budget proposal has enraged the business lobby and unnerved Labor backbenchers anxious about small business hostility. The Greens, whose votes are required in the Senate, have the opposite concern.
Federal politics live: Taxpayers fund $630m pay boost for care workers
Australia's online safety watchdog says it doesn't have the powers to proactively block the livestreaming of an execution by firing squad in the US from being shown in Australia. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the execution of mass shooter Nidal Hasan will be available for the public to watch. The planned December 3 livestream has been widely condemned in Canberra, but eSafety says it "does not have powers to proactively prevent a livestream from occurring online".
Program: Are Labor's new laws censorship?
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled Labor's draft Digital Duty of Care legislation, vowing to give people "choice and control" over their social media feeds. The Government's policy framing comes as some in the Coalition — including Opposition leader Angus Taylor — have raised concerns over censorship. Meanwhile, One Nation has continued to sell its super policy, with One Nation Treasury spokesperson Barnaby Joyce engaging in series of heated exchanges over modelling.
Government offers small businesses a trust tax workaround
Small businesses could avoid being stung by stamp duty when they restructure to escape Labor's minimum tax on discretionary trusts, under a workaround proposed by Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Draft laws to enact the 30 per cent trust tax were released for feedback on Thursday. The tax is the last of the major tax changes from the May federal budget to be legislated.
Program: Federal government pushes for national data centre rules
The federal government is hoping to settle new energy and water rules for data centres at a national cabinet meeting later today, despite opposition from Queensland and the Northern Territory. The disagreement revolves around the requirement that data centres contribute to their own power, in the form of renewables, with gas as a firming option.
Program: Pat Conroy defends former ministers lobbying for defence industry
This morning, Four Corners is highlighting the dozens of former defence officials, including former ministers and top brass, who have moved into lobbying on behalf of the defence industry.
Jim Chalmers says the next election is a 'referendum' on super. Is the outcome clear?
Barnaby Joyce had just said "lie" for the 17th time when the line went dead. A few moments later, dialled back into his Radio National interview, he joked listeners had missed him in "full flight" about Jim Chalmers's claim One Nation and the Coalition were "against universal super". It was, he said, a lie to rival the infamous "Mediscare". It's a telling comparison.
Program: Western Australia's GST deal a 'costly mistake'
Program: Western Australia's GST deal a 'costly mistake' Fri 14 Aug 2026 at 5:00pmFri 14 Aug 2026 at 5:00pmFri 14 Aug 2026 at 5:00pm Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.
WA GST deal a 'costly mistake' that must change, Productivity Commission says
The deal struck with Western Australia eight years ago to boost its GST share is costly and inequitable and must be changed, a landmark review has found. In an interim report that has already inflamed bitter interstate tensions over the tax carve-up, the Productivity Commission has told the federal government that if it does not want to scrap the deal entirely, it should find a less damaging way to appease WA.
Everybody wants to cut migration but nobody wants to say how
When Tony Burke, regarded as one of the smoothest operators in the ministry, hastily withdrew from a press club speech about migration last week — so late that tickets to the sellout event had to be refunded — tongues were set wagging: something must be up. As the ABC then reported, something was up: after much back and forth, the cabinet could not agree on details of the sweeping migration cuts he was set to announce.
Liberals pour cold water on Andrew Bragg's migration comments
A Liberal frontbencher's suggestion that net migration under 180,000 is "achievable" with cuts to backpackers and international students is unauthorised and does not reflect an agreed position of Angus Taylor's shadow cabinet. Speaking to the National Press Club about the opposition's policy to link net migration to housing completions, moderate Andrew Bragg said a figure in that order would be enough to close the housing "shortfall" of recent years and was "manageable".
Liberals pour cold water on Andrew Bragg's migration comments
A Liberal frontbencher's suggestion that net migration under 180,000 is "achievable" with cuts to backpackers and international students is …
From a tome to a pamphlet: Liberal Andrew Bragg vows to demolish building code
The federal opposition wants to demolish Australia's building code, squeezing more than 2,000 pages into just 80. Speaking at the National Press Club on Wednesday, Liberal housing spokesman Andrew Bragg will say the current rules require "gold-plated houses", which are too expensive.
Former officials warn Labor's unfinished plans to reduce migration laced with risk
Labor's plan to gain control of net migration figures could be derailed by the High Court or have unintended consequences if badly designed, migration experts have warned. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke's quiet preparations for drastic changes to visa rules were thrust into the spotlight this week when he suddenly cancelled plans for a launch at the National Press Club on Thursday.
Tony Burke delays National Press Club speech expected to reveal migration cuts
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has postponed a speech at the National Press Club, where he was expected to unveil far-reaching changes to Australia's migration settings in a bid to quell public anger and growing support for One Nation. Mr Burke was due to appear on Thursday but withdrew on Tuesday afternoon. A government source did not offer a reason for the delay but said the speech would be rescheduled in the near future.
Program: Is Albanese's seat under threat?
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is facing a new progressive threat, with 28-year-old Cheek Media Co founder Hannah Ferguson confirming she'll run as an independent in the PM's Grayndler seat. And Victorian politics that stole much of the spotlight this week, but will a leadership change be enough for Victorian Labor to reset ahead of the state election? And how is Federal Labor viewing the chaos? Meanwhile, the Albanese Government has confirmed the fuel excise cut will come to an end this weekend.
Australia should brace for war impact to get worse, Treasury warns
The economic risks for Australia from the continuation of the Middle East war are increasing, the Treasury has warned, as the federal government weighs whether to extend subsidies for petrol and diesel into August. Oil prices have increased since the unravelling of a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, with knock-on effects for Australian prices. Diesel, though below the peaks seen in late March, remains markedly above prewar prices across Australia.
Not satire: The Utopia-style regulations holding Australia back from building homes
The Productivity Commission has recommended a drastic overhaul of state and local government planning rules to unlock more housing. In its interim report, the commission found 'poorly designed' regulation was preventing homes from being built where people want to live. The final report is due next March. A local council tells a property developer they need more trees for their new building, but the local fire authority says they need to minimise canopy to avoid a fire risk.
Australia's first map of city zoning shows Melbourne streets ahead on density
Melbourne is the only Australian capital that allows medium density housing to be built on most of its residential land. Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT have all taken steps forward in the last few years as a result of zoning changes. The national target of 1.2 million new homes over five years is not on track, but some jurisdictions are not far off.
Program: PM rebukes 'provocative' missile test
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned China's missile test in the Pacific as a "provocative act", suggesting it destablises the region. It comes as the PM holds bilateral talks with his Solomon Islands counterpart and continues his regional diplomacy blitz. And back home, as preparations get underway for the Federal Labor Conference, there are already some clear battlelines taking shape. Melissa Clarke and Tom Crowley break it all down on Politics Now.
Allegra Spender and Zali Steggall form new political party, other teals yet to join
Independents Allegra Spender and Zali Steggall have confirmed plans to form a new political party, but are yet to convince any of their crossbench colleagues to join what they call a "responsible alternative" to the major parties. There has long been speculation about a formal grouping of the so-called teal independents, who have won previously safe Liberal seats over the past three elections and received some funding and campaign support from the political organisation Climate 200.
Against an unfamiliar enemy, Labor is preparing a familiar campaign on health and child care
Thirteen thousand words were spoken during Pauline Hanson's marathon press club appearance this week. Almost nobody, bar a few political obsessives, will have heard them all. Instead, most people will engage with the speech the way they engage with most political content: on their phones, in the form of bite-sized clips.
Program: PM announces tax reform carve-outs
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced carve-outs to Labor's tax reforms announced in the budget, following a sustained attack against the changes. The Treasurer says 2.7 million small businesses will now get CGT concessions, after a two-day parliamentary inquiry earlier this week.
Albanese and Chalmers unveil capital gains carve-outs for small businesses, startups
Founders, employees and early investors in startup companies will get an extra capital gains tax discount as the federal government moves to stamp out the backlash to its budget. Labor has been consulting with the startup sector and with small businesses, which have argued that the proposed overhaul to the capital gains tax would unfairly penalise them and stifle innovation.
Albanese and Chalmers unveil capital gains carve-outs for small businesses, startups
Plastic 1 hour ago This common supermarket mistake could be ruining your recycling bhg.com.au - Livia Gamble • 1h Most of us try to do the right thing after a trip to the supermarket, but there’s one thing many people get wrong. Every time you pop a thermal … Australia 1 hour ago Trump says Australia has a slave labour issue.
Economists defend capital gains changes despite flaws as business groups line up in opposition
Labor's proposal to overhaul negative gearing and the capital gains tax has some design flaws but is better than the current system, according to several leading economists who appeared before a parliamentary inquiry on Monday. The first day of hearings was shaped by warring contributions from elated progressive groups, who argued the tax package would improve generational fairness, and furious business groups who warned that it would chill investment.
Program: Labor's populism pushback
Anthony Albanese says voter frustration with the system formed the backdrop for Labor's budget — saying if governments don't respond to the circumstances there will be "a continued rise of populism." But as another poll shows One Nation ahead of Labor as the most popular political party, are the Albanese Government acting too slowly? And as scrutiny increases on One Nation, there have been a series of gaffes over the details of their housing policy.
Greens likely to play ball with Labor's timeline for capital gains and negative gearing bill
The Greens appear willing to cooperate with Labor's timeline to legislate its capital gains and negative gearing changes within weeks, indicating they are unlikely to support a Coalition push for a months-long inquiry into the contentious proposal. Treasurer Jim Chalmers introduced the first round of legislation to the lower house today, sketching out the framework for an inflation-based CGT discount and curbs to negative gearing for property investors.
Program: Fuelcast: Gas plans on (and off) the table
One of the big stories out of Canberra this week is the government’s draft discussion paper on a domestic gas reservation policy. So is it a realistic plan? Does the government have political support from the Opposition - and public support too - as calls for a gas tax grow louder in some parts of the country? And what would it actually cost, and mean, for the flow of gas to households and businesses?
Program: Albanese stares down tax push back
Household energy bills are set to drop by up to 10 per cent, with the Albanese government crediting renewables and batteries for the decrease. It's a good news story for Labor, as the fight over capital gains tax changes continues to dominate parliament — and the Prime Minister doubles down. But the Government isn't the only one feeling the heat, with outgoing National Anti-Corruption Commissioner Paul Brereton fronting up for a grilling in Senate estimates.
Shares, start-ups, small businesses and ETFs: What Labor's capital gains tax changes mean in practice
Labor's plan to overhaul the tax treatment of investments has set off a firestorm of discussion, with all sorts of competing claims about what it means for people in all sorts of different circumstances. The basic principle is simple. The government wants those who earn "capital gains" from the sale of investment properties, shares, or their own businesses to pay more tax.
Program: Fuelcast: Why is diesel dearer?
Why is diesel still more expensive than petrol? And where exactly is the Fuel Tsar while the energy crisis rolls on? Dan Ziffer and Tom Crowley take on your questions - from the politics of fuel prices to the economics behind them - and help make sense of what’s happening, who is responsible, and what matters most right now on Fuelcast on ABC Business Daily.
Coalition tax plan could cost more than suggested in first few years
Angus Taylor's plan to index tax brackets to inflation could cost $35 billion in the first four years, higher than the $23 billion figure the Coalition has been using, and would cost the budget $44 billion every year by the end of the decade. The opposition leader unveiled a plan yesterday to eliminate "bracket creep", the feature of Australia's income tax system that causes taxpayers to pay more over time because tax brackets are not adjusted for inflation.
Labor and the Liberals have staked their fortunes on duelling visions for income taxes
Watching the public fall out of love with them and seek out new political homes, the Labor and Liberal parties have had the same idea at the same time as they scramble to rekindle the flame: maybe we try some tax reform? There was nothing very new about the policies either party dished up this week. Labor's trio of negative gearing, capital gains and trusts were dredged up from their 2019 election manifesto. And Liberals have fantasised about ending bracket creep for yonks.
Program: Labor takes risk on housing tax changes
ABC Economics reporter, Tom Crowley, says the Labor government has taken a risk by breaking its election promise that it would not touch property tax breaks. But not acting to help more people into home ownership would have been a risk too. He thinks the Opposition may be sensing the broken promise offers it an opportunity to get back into the political fight after its disastrous Farrer by-election result.
Four charts show that Labor's budget is not just about the generation gap, but the wealth gap too
Nobody asks economists for political advice, for good reason. But when Labor started hinting that it was going to revisit changes to negative gearing and capital gains, and sell it as a housing policy for young people, the boffins and wonks were scratching their heads. Sure, there was a pretty obvious link between the tax rules and the housing market, which had become the dominant economic concern for young voters.
Here's how federal budget negative gearing and capital gains tax changes will affect you
economics reporter Tom Crowley Yesterday'sfederal budgetincludes an overhaul of the rules for negative gearing and the capital gains tax in what Treasurer Jim Chalmers is calling the biggest tax shake-up in 25 years. For those who want to understand how the changes will affect them, whether they are investors, wannabe investors or people who want to buy their own home, the amount of detail can be confusing. Here's everything we know.
Here's how federal budget's negative gearing and capital gains tax changes will affect you
Tuesday's federal budget included an overhaul to the rules for negative gearing and the capital gains tax in what Treasurer Jim Chalmers has called the biggest tax shake-up in 25 years. For those who want to understand how the changes will affect them, whether they are investors, wannabe investors or wanting to buy their own home, the amount of detail can be confusing. Here's everything we know. Federal budget 2026: Stay up to date with the budget aftermath in our live blog.
Program: Will Labor's budget 'pull up the ladder'?
Labor is leaning into housing this budget, with big tax reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax to form the centrepiece. It's all in a bid to address intergenerational inequity — but as Tom tells PK, grandfathering could "directly undermine" that and feed into accusations the Albanese Government is "pulling the ladder up" on a new generation. As PK says, the way Labor "frames" the reforms is key both to win over voters and ward of future scare campaigns.
Councils to get federal funds for roads, pipes and wires in housing push
Local councils will get federal money to build roads, pipes and wires to enable new housing in an effort to signal the Albanese government remains determined to boost supply despite its flagging 1.2 million homes target and its pivot to housing tax hikes. Treasurer Jim Chalmers will reveal details of the $2 billion fund in Tuesday's federal budget, declaring the cash injection will add an extra 65,000 homes over a decade.
Some people will hate Tuesday's federal budget but Jim Chalmers doesn't mind
The truth is that, for all the hype, federal budgets are often dull affairs. Not this time. Emboldened by a thumping election win and undeterred by the onset of war, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has projected a relaxed demeanour as he prepares his fifth and most consequential set of books, which will be headlined by contentious tax reforms.
Budget night productivity package to include migration overhaul and red tape drive
economics reporter Tom Crowley Tuesday's budget will include a migration overhaul, tax relief for small businesses and fresh efforts to cut red tape, in a push Treasurer Jim Chalmers says will save businesses money and boost Australian living standards. Further uses for the digital identification system myID and a government-backed crypto token will also be considered in a wide-ranging productivity package Mr Chalmers said was "one of the most important parts" of his fifth budget.
Economists say trusts help people pay less tax, but stopping that could be difficult
economics reporter Tom Crowley Trusts give wealthy families and business owners a "breakfast buffet" of options to reduce their taxes, but changing the rules is complicated and may not raise much money, economists have warned. Tuesday's federal budget is set to include changes to trust taxation alongside negative gearing and capital gains tax reform, according to several government sources, marking a partial return to Labor's failed 2019 tax policy agenda.
Economists say trusts help people pay less tax, but stopping that could be difficult
Trusts give wealthy families and business owners a "breakfast buffet" of options to reduce their taxes, but changing the rules is complicated and may not raise much money, economists have warned. Tuesday's federal budget is set to include changes to trust taxation alongside negative gearing and capital gains tax reform, according to several government sources, marking a partial return to Labor's failed 2019 tax policy agenda.
Microsoft Cares About Your Privacy How big is Australia's generation gap? Here's what the evidence tells us
economics reporter Tom Crowley You're hearing it more and more: it's hard to be a young person. That message will be at the heart of Tuesday's federal budget, which is set to contain sweeping tax changes framed as a way to bridge the generation gap.
How do negative gearing, capital gains tax and trusts work?
A tax shake-up is coming. Next week's federal budget will include changes to the capital gains tax, negative gearing, and the rules for trust funds. All three were part of Labor's 2019 election campaign. Back then, it argued that the tax concessions were unfair and benefited "the top end of town". This time, the Albanese government will frame it as a policy to help young people access the housing market.
PM leaves door open to tax offset for workers as Coalition raises inflation concerns
A one-off tax break for working Australians remains a live option for cost-of-living relief as Anthony Albanese says the budget will be "consistent with Labor's values". The prime minister did not rule out a reported plan to deliver an income tax offset this financial year, but said Australians had to wait until May 12 to find out what was in the budget. "It's a whole lot of speculation out there in budgets, and that's what happens," Mr Albanese said.
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