Treasurer Jim Chalmers arrives to hand down the 2026 Budget at Parliament House in Canberra, Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Source: AAP / MICK TSIKAS/AAPIMAGE
The contest continues over the future of Australia's tax system following last week's Federal Budget. The Coalition has flagged its own bold policies on tax and housing, while the Treasurer is working to sell a trio of changes affecting negative gearing, capital gains and trusts. Two new opinion polls suggest his federal budget has been poorly received by voters - but Jim Chalmers has declared the long-term gains from controversial housing tax changes are worth the short-term political pain.
The contest continues over the future of Australia's tax system following last week's Federal Budget. The Coalition has flagged its own bold policies on tax and housing, while the Treasurer is working to sell a trio of changes affecting negative gearing, capital gains and trusts. Two new opinion polls suggest his federal budget has been poorly received by voters - but Jim Chalmers has declared the long-term gains from controversial housing tax changes are worth the short-term political pain.
