Brett Careedy

The Budget’s core tax changes tighten concessions for housing and capital gains, introduce new minimum tax rates on certain investment income, and offer only targeted relief for businesses and start‑ups. Taken together, they both introduce more complexity into tax planning and raise the effective tax burden, while slowing private sector investment. Key tax measures proposed in the Budget papers for individuals: Limiting negative gearing on residential property to new builds from July 2027...

Investor sentiment improved as global equities rose for a sixth consecutive week, with major US and global indices reaching record closing highs. Oil prices remained volatile as developments in the Middle East drove a wide intraweek range, while OPEC+ announced a smaller output increase than last month. Central banks retained a hawkish bias, with the RBA lifting rates back to 4.35% and the Norges Bank surprising markets with an earlier rise. The week ahead centres on Iran’s response to the...

Today, the RBA raised the cash rate by a quarter point, returning it to the post-pandemic peak of 4.35% on an 8-1 vote. However, there was also a hint that the MPB may be anticipating that rates are near their peak, as reflected in market pricing, since monetary policy is now judged to be slightly restrictive. The Monetary Policy Board's official statement included the following comments: "Inflation picked up materially in the second half of 2025, and information since the beginning of this...