Just watched a TV program on the ABC 'Escape From the City' (Thu 14 Feb 2019)
Margaret River WA: The Kadamuses
"Deb and Milo have set their sights on finding their next home on the other side of the country. Presenter Jane Hall accompanies the couple as they inspect both rustic rural homes and modern chic dwellings. (2018)"
It may seem unrelated to our plights but it brings home the reality of the disadvantages and unfair treatment of Queensland property owners compared to those who own homes elsewhere.
It is an example of how Aussie owners of property in Queensland are going to feel the impact of the Absentee Surcharge and special rate Land Tax when more and more wish to take long vacations abroad past the 6 month limit imposed.
In the episode the couple were seeking a home in Western Australia and had plans at some point to travel for 12 months whilst renting their property out.
Now of course in Western Australia that is not a problem because there is no Absentee Surcharge. But it just deeply saddens me more that something so normal and exciting for a couple like travelling for 12 months abroad cannot be shared by Queensland property owners without it potentially financially destroying them in the special rate Land tax and Absentee Surcharge taxes.
Prisoners of the State we are. 6 months a year we must stay landlocked in Australia or we pay exorbitant taxes for the 'privilege' of being abroad longer. This is not freedom of movement. A punitive tax aligned to where you spend your time, for how long away and what you spend your money on.
