David Alexander interview on Sky News regarding CGT concessions

Transcript: 18 June 2026

Ashleigh Gillon:

Joining us live is the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief of Policy and Advocacy, David Alexander. David, good to see you. Thanks for your time. Tell us what you make of the changes. We've seen small business celebrating today. As you know, the sector's been pushing for that threshold change around what a small business is in financial terms for some time.

David Alexander:

Yeah. So the changes will ameliorate the damage for the business community, but our point is why are we talking about damage in the first place? So we should be ensuring that the business community can thrive into the future so that it can provide the jobs and wages growth that we need. And this budget comes at it from a different premise. Its starting point is that the government needs more revenue to pay for various spending blowouts. And so here they are, they've found a revenue harvesting target and they're trying to raise revenue. So from the budget, there's been quite a strong negative reaction from the business community, but that's commensurate with the pain that's going to be incurred.

Ashleigh Gillon:

We did hear the government flagging that there'd be changes around startup concessions as well. What are you expecting on that front?

David Alexander:

Yeah, so this is another part of the business community that is recognised as going to be worse off under the changes and the government is again trying to minimise the harm. Our view is that the pain extends beyond just startups. The pain extends to best practise across all industries really, because we're talking about the gain. It's not just where you start from. If you're a very productive firm, your gain is going to be bigger, you're going to have a disproportionate increase in tax penalty. So the whole design needs to be rethought so that we're providing a supportive environment for business investment in Australia.

Ashleigh Gillon:

And have you already heard anecdotally that these businesses are saying that investment is being discouraged at the thought of the changes that are coming in?

David Alexander:

Well, certainly. Yeah. Businesses are very concerned. It's especially disappointing because the government had been talking about the need for productivity lift and investment. So this came as quite a shock on budget night that the business community was going to be wearing a tax on investment in Australian business. So it's hard to reconcile what the government's intentions are with what the results are on the ground in legislation.

Ashleigh Gillon:

David, Alexander, appreciate your insights. Thanks so much.

David Alexander:

Thanks, Ashleigh.