In the lead-up to the May federal budget – now just a fortnight away – Treasurer Jim Chalmers has left the door open to winding back negative gearing, used by around 1.1 million investors for rental properties.
The last serious attempt at reform was during Bill Shorten’s federal election campaign back in 2019. That proposal to curb negative gearing was partly blamed for Labor’s unexpected election defeat.
So, how does the system work now? And what are the pros and cons if the current government does act in the coming budget?