CEO of Grattan Institute John Daley says the introduction of any discount is simply another “free kick for seniors” after recent calls for the state government to cut $10,000 in the transfer tax for people aged over 65.
The policy had been adopted by Colin Barnett’s government but was never implemented after his party lost the election last year. Similar concessions do exist for over-65s in Victoria and the ACT.
Mr Daley says from his research earlier this year found stamp duty costs were only a barrier for about 5% of those downsizing.
He says the real problem for most empty-nesters is that middle-ring suburbs have too many detached homes and not enough units or smaller housing for downsizers – in short, a lack of retirement living options.
