Governments seek to revive "the economy" by scattering gifts of our own money wrapped in red tape.  This encourages immediate consumption.  But this stimulation stops dead when the money tap is turned off.

Three simple measures from the three levels of government will create real long-term jobs without complicated political handouts that have no lasting effect.

Firstly, in Australia, at least, abolish the federal Capital Gains Tax.  Fear of the CGT has constipated private property transfer and investment for decades.

Most new owners of houses, businesses, and farms soon start making improvements — alterations, extensions, a granny flat or new sheds, yards, dams, fences, factories or, workshops.  But after a few years, owners become satisfied or inactive, and capital expenditure dries up.  Often, they would like to move on, but they fear CGT liabilities if they sell.  Abolish the CGT and its complicated rules, and many owners would upgrade to a new property or business, and both old and new properties are likely to attract a new cycle of improvements.

Making all capital expenditure immediately deductible for tax in all industries would accelerate re-investment.  We would hear the hammers starting within days (as in postwar Germany, when Ludwig Erhardt set their beaten people free).

Secondly, state governments can accelerate economic rejuvenation by abolishing stamp duty, which is a tax on those who do things.  New Zealand abolished stamp duty twenty years ago, and the sky did not fall.

Thirdly, local governments can help with a six-month rates holiday for all rate-payers in shires suffering from fires, flood, drought, or coronavirus depression.  The feds should fund this.

Giving an allowance to people who are forcibly quarantined is reasonable.  But most people don't want a handout — they want a job.

We don't want governments scattering our own money like confetti — we want conditions that encourage people to invest more of their own money in creating real jobs.

Viv Forbes has been a director of several companies and studied financial analysis, business economics, and politics.

Further Reading:

Some of the CGT Red Tape in Australia:
https://www.ato.gov.au/General/Capital-gains-tax/Your-home-and-other-real-estate/Your-main-residence/