ABC News Daily

Why Chalmers caved on his super tax for the rich

Oct 14, 2025
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INSIGHT

Core Of The Original Super Plan

  • The original plan taxed earnings over $3 million in super at 30% to reduce concessions for the very wealthy.
  • It controversially applied to unrealised gains and lacked indexation, raising fairness and future-sweep concerns.
INSIGHT

Unrealised Gains Create Cash-Flow Risk

  • Taxing unrealised gains would force payments on paper increases without sale proceeds available.
  • That risked cash-flow problems, especially for asset-rich but income-poor holders like farmers.
ANECDOTE

Farmers' Real-Life Fear Of Tax Bills

  • Farmers feared their family farms in super would trigger large annual tax bills despite low cash flow.
  • One example estimated farm families could face about $120,000 a year in tax under the original design.
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