Two Governments, Two Very Different Tax Messages

In previous articles, we’ve covered the Labor government’s proposal to tax unrealised gains. In plain English? You’ve got an asset — maybe a house or some shares — and even if you haven’t sold it, even if that value is only on paper, they still want their cut.

That’s the dumbest thing we’ve ever heard. No cash in hand? Still gotta pay. That’s like saying, “Your house might be worth more — give me some tax on it now.”

It’s madness. It punishes success before it’s even real.

Meanwhile… In the U.S.

Now let’s look at what just happened in America. Trump — love him or hate him — just got a “One Big Beautiful Bill” (his words, of course) through the House of Representatives.

The headline?
No tax on overtime.
None. Zero. Nada.

Let that sink in.

You do an extra shift?
Pull some long hours to support your family?
You keep every cent.

Australia’s Message: Work Harder, Pay More

Here in Australia, the message is the exact opposite. You want to work harder? Do overtime? Take on extra shifts to deal with the cost of living?

Congratulations — we’re gonna tax you more.

After thousands of one-on-one sessions with Aussie families, we can tell you this: almost every household relies on overtime. Mums, dads — everyone is out there grinding, just trying to stay afloat.

And what does our government do? It punishes them for trying to get ahead.

One family this week — base income of around $80K, doing over $50K in overtime. Do you know how much of that extra $50K they get to keep?

Not much.
The ATO takes nearly half — $0.48 on every dollar.

What If Overtime Was Tax-Free in Australia?

Let’s be real: imagine the difference it would make if there was no tax on overtime here in Australia.

That same family would keep the whole $50K they worked so hard for.
That’s more money for mortgage repayments, school fees, groceries — and maybe, just maybe, getting into their first property.

It sends a message: if you sacrifice for your family, the government’s got your back. Not their hand in your pocket.

A Better System for Working Families

Trump’s plan isn’t perfect. No government is. But at least this says something powerful to working-class families:

Work harder, keep more.

Not:
“Work harder, pay more.”
“You’re rich now, because you tried.”
“We’ll find new ways to tax your effort.”

It’s a message we need here in Australia — badly.

Final Word: Albo, Take Notes

Anthony Albanese — bro, it’s time.

It’s time to reward hardworking Australians, not penalise them.
It’s time to back families trying to get ahead — not drag them down when they’re already sacrificing everything they’ve got.

The cost of living is brutal. People are doing their best.
So let them keep more of what they earn.

No tax on overtime? That would be a game-changer.