paulq

Dear Christopher Luxon @chrisluxonmp Yesterday’s Australian budget just handed New Zealand one of the biggest talent magnets we’ve seen in years. By slashing the capital gains tax discount and tightening negative gearing, the Albanese Labor government has made it significantly more expensive for Aussie founders, entrepreneurs and high-earning tech builders to cash out their successful businesses or property investments. We have none of that here. No CGT on shares, no CGT on business exits, no punitive exit tax on the very people who take risks and build real wealth. The message that should be going out loud and clear is: “G’day Aussie founders, come jump the ditch.” This is a golden, once-in-a-generation opportunity to attract exactly the highly skilled, ambitious Australians we should be rolling out the red carpet for - the ones who create jobs, grow companies and pay serious tax. We may even be able to encourage highly skilled Kiwis to move back home. Prime Minister, this is low-hanging fruit. Streamline visas for proven business builders. Shout the no-CGT advantage from the rooftops. Make it faster and simpler for Australian talent to set up here than it is for them to stay home and watch their exits get hammered. The outdoors, the lifestyle, the timezone advantage for US markets. Now is the moment to open the door to high-value Australian migrants who share our values and actually build productive things instead of just consuming housing and infrastructure. We’ve spent years arguing about the downsides of unmanaged migration. Here is the upside, served up on a plate by our closest neighbour. Don’t fumble it. Lifelong National voters are watching to see whether this government has the nerve and the nous to seize a genuine competitive advantage when it lands in our lap. Yours, in genuine hope mixed with frustration, A former loyal National supporter