Australian Politics, Mark II

That^

Not to mention, that if there actually was any truth in the Lib scare campaign around this, in that the reforms may/will cause a shortage of Rental properties, supply and demand will only push up that rental return*, well above current Term Deps etc.

*An actual chance of slight uptick in the short term it should be said.

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Retirement transition is different.

You might not want to negatively gear as you’re no longer working. Your taxable wage has been replaced by tax free super. With no wages to offset your negatively geared home is now just a loss making asset.

Many people sell the house at retirement and put the proceeds into super.

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AWU raids inquiry cost taxpayers $1.2 million - but Liberal staffers refused to co-operate

Michael Koziol

By Michael Koziol

April 22, 2019 — 7.55pm

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Taxpayers have now forked out at least $1.2 million to cover the costs of a police inquiry into leaked information pertaining to raids on the headquarters of the Australian Workers’ Union.

But documents newly released to the Senate show a litany of Liberal staffers refused to give statements to the Australian Federal Police and the two ministers involved - Small Business Minister Michaelia Cash and Human Services Minister Michael Keenan - took five weeks to provide a written response to investigators.

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Small Business Minister Michaelia Cash took six weeks to provide a two-paragraph response to the AFP.
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Small Business Minister Michaelia Cash took six weeks to provide a two-paragraph response to the AFP.CREDIT:ALEX ELLINGHAUSEN

The documents reveal the AFP investigation cost taxpayers $340,000, including officers’ hours, supplier expenses and external legal costs, over the 16 months to February this year. The true cost is not known as the figure does not include executives’ hours or AFP Legal members’ hours.

Taxpayers have also paid $288,000 for Senator Cash’s legal expenses and at least $550,000 in legal bills for the government’s union watchdog, the Registered Organisations Commission, which was embroiled in the scandal. In total, the costs have reached $1.2 million.

The police probe - which did not yield any charges - related to raids on the Melbourne offices of the Australian Workers’ Union in October 2017. News of the imminent raids was leaked to the media by Senator Cash’s former staffer David De Garis, resulting in TV cameras being in place to document the event.

The raids were conducted to look for documents relating to donations the union made to activist group GetUp in the 2005/06 financial year when Labor leader Bill Shorten was the union’s secretary.

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Five staffers to Human Services Minister Michael Keenan refused to provide statements to police.
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Five staffers to Human Services Minister Michael Keenan refused to provide statements to police.CREDIT:ALEX ELLINGHAUSEN

It was revealed at a Senate estimates inquiry that Senator Cash and Mr Keenan refused to be interviewed by the AFP in relation to the leaks, and twice refused to provide formal witness statements.

The documents provided to the Senate show both ministers took five weeks to provide any written statement to investigators. Meanwhile, five of Mr Keenan’s staff members refused to provide any statement at all, despite being asked by police.

The AFP first asked to speak to Senator Cash and Mr Keenan on March 16, 2018, regarding the leaks, “with a view to obtaining a witness statement”.

Six weeks later, on April 27, Senator Cash provided a two paragraph statement via an email attachment referring AFP deputy commissioner Leanne Close to evidence Senator Cash had already given to a Senate inquiry on the matter.

Mr Keenan provided a three paragraph statement on April 20 in which he told investigators his office had dealt with the execution of the AWU search warrants “in the usual way”.

The Department of Home Affairs, which is responsible for the AFP, told the Senate, “Five members of Minister Keenan’s office who were asked to provide statements did not do so”.

Public prosecutors received a brief of evidence from the AFP but felt there was no reasonable prospect of a conviction and declined to press charges. The Commonwealth Solicitor, Andrea Pavleka, has said the lack of witness statements was an “important factor” in this decision.

Taxpayers are still incurring fresh legal costs related to the matter because the AWU has taken the ROC to court to try to quash the investigation into its 2005/06 donations to GetUp, arguing it is politically motivated.

Senator Cash, as employment minister in 2017, had asked the ROC to consider investigating whether the AWU’s donations to GetUp had been properly approved under the union’s rules.

Liberal senator Eric Abetz also made a referral to the ROC to consider examining the issue.

Labor described the subsequent investigation as a “witch hunt” against Mr Shorten, and has vowed to abolish the ROC if it wins the May 18 election.

Senator Cash and Mr Keenan have consistently denied any knowledge of the leaks about the raids, and have said they fully co-operated with the AFP investigation.

The documents provided to the Senate were in response to questions on notice from Labor senators Murray Watt and Louise Pratt.

Except you don’t negatively against wages, you use this to claim interest payments and other expenses on investment property.

Huh?

You mean in retirement or normally?

Because normally the whole point of negative gearing is to offset wages.

Offset against taxable income…I thought.

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Voter registrations in the Week leading up to the cut off numbered 100k.

Set a new record at 96.8% enrolment of newly eligible, the highest in our history.

Good news.

There may for a bigger benefit for those on the highest tax scales, but you can only offset interest payments and expenses for the rental property if it is rented and earning income.

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Young Australians are looking to make an impact on this year’s federal election with the enrolment of 18-24 year olds at its highest rate ever.

According to the The Australian Electoral Commission, an estimated 88.8 per cent of 18-24 year olds are now enrolled to vote.

“Enrolment for this youth cohort at 88.8 per cent is now even higher than it was for the marriage postal survey when it was 88.6 per cent,” Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said.


I’m willing to bet they sure aint voting LNP.

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Just needs to be shown every day somewhere. Willing to bet that ancient turd is half the size of the one he filled his pants with at the Engadine Maccas in 97. He was at the footy again on the weekend the dirty burglar.

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The liberal party ■■■■■■ themselves with the stupid plebiscite. Made young people enrol

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Now its interesting that labor has halved the tax rate from 30 to 15% for international investors for there build and rent scheme…now if thats not looking after the top end of town then i dont know what is!!

Do you actually understand what these schemes are about ?

It is to encourage investors, both local and international to build properties for lower cost rental, this is, affordable housing. The investors get a tax break and much needed housing for rent is available.

With the objective of delivering affordable housing to the lower income end of town, foreign investment that comes with conditions delivering a benefit to society. It has worked very well in the US.

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Oops! :no_mouth:

For those following watergate, this is one of the original investigators with new info.

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See my reply to his reply

LNP and Palmer to do a preference deal. Murdoch press acting all surprised and excited about it.

The ASIC case against Palmer is scheduled for court in June. If he is convicted and gets a jail term of 12 months or more he is disqualified.

Surely he shouldn’t be allowed to run with such a cloud over his head.