Libs claim tax change a negative

THOUSANDS of Tasmanians would be worse off under changes to negative gearing proposed by Labor, Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said yesterday.

The claim was dismissed as a lie by Labor.

Mr Frydenberg said there were 18,000 Tasmanians who claimed a negative gearing related deduction against their incomes in 2015/16.

“Around 18,000 Tasmanians will be hit by Labor’s illconceived property tax,” he said.

“It will also punish every Tasmanian with equity in their home.

“Labor’s property taxes are a lose-lose policy — if you own your own home it will be worth less, and if you rent your home it will cost you more.

But Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen said people negative gearing properties across Australia would still be able to under Labor’s housing affordability reforms.

“Using this electorate data is nothing more than a hollow attempt to suggest these people will lose access to current tax concessions under Labor,” he said.