Death tax? Property tax? Four ideas that could offset inheritance inequality in Australia

‘Inheritance means that wealth inequalities get more easily replicated from one generation to the next.’ Composite: Guardian design/Getty Images

The $5.4tn intergenerational wealth transfer predicted to occur within the next two decades is a major challenge for Australian governments. Economists have warned it could entrench and exacerbate inequality, and make the economy less productive. So what can be done about it?

“In the end, that comes down to tax,” says the former deputy reserve bank governor Guy Debelle. “Taxation is how you redistribute. Basically, that’s it. So what’s the tax?”