The St Vincent de Paul Society National Council says the Albanese Government’s reforms to capital gains tax and negative gearing announced in the federal budget are a “meaningful step” toward improving fairness in Australia’s housing system.
National council president Mark Gaetani said the changes to the tax settings for investment properties would begin to help rebalance intergenerational equity and reduce some of the structural pressures that have locked too many Australians out of secure, affordable housing.
“For too long, tax settings have disproportionately favoured property investors over first home buyers and low-income renters,” Mr Gaetani said.
“These reforms recognise that housing should be treated first and foremost as a basic human right, not primarily a vehicle for wealth accumulation.”
The society has consistently advocated for reforms to property investor tax incentives, including reducing the former 50 per cent CGT discount, as part of a broader strategy to address Australia’s housing crisis.
“But housing reform cannot be looked at in isolation. Millions of Australians are still struggling to pay for the basics such as food, rent, utilities and school costs, and many are surviving on incomes that are simply too low,” Mr Gaetani said.
“With around 3.6 million people in Australia living in poverty, including one million children and young people, and JobSeeker still sitting around 38 per cent below the poverty line, this budget needed to do more to lift income support payments for those of us being left behind.
“The best way to address inequality is to further reform taxation and increase income support for those living below the poverty line. Increasing income support payments helps to ensure everyone can afford what they need and that children get the right start in life.”
Meanwhile, National Catholic Education Commission executive director Scott Ryan said there were “no real surprises” in the budget, The Catholic Leader reports.
“We welcome the government’s ongoing commitment to subsidised, accessible childcare three days a week, safety measures across services and the continuation of funding to build new places for our early learners as announced in last year’s budget,” he said in a special newsletter released on budget night.
Mr Ryan said the emerging Thriving Kids program set to start in full in 2028 for children with mild developmental conditions remains a key issue.
“How the Thriving Kids program will intersect with schools in the provision and funding of intervention for students who need additional support remains an open question,” he said.
“The NCEC Students with Disability Network Group is keeping a close eye on this evolving program.”
FULL STORY
Tax reform revenue must be redirected to housing, income support (St Vincent de Paul Society)
Catholic peak bodies weigh in on CGT changes, NDIS and more in Budget 2026 (The Catholic Leader)
Federal Budget 2026–27: What it means for Catholic Education funding and families (NCEC)
