In a bold move, South Australia’s opposition party has unveiled a plan to eliminate stamp duty on property purchases, aiming to revitalize the housing market and simplify the home-buying process. The proposal promises significant changes but has prompted skepticism regarding its financial feasibility.

The opposition’s strategy involves a gradual removal of the tax, with a complete phase-out targeted by 2041. This ambitious timeline has sparked a debate about the plan’s practicality and funding sources.

“Stamp duty is an inefficient and burdensome tax,” stated Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia. “It poses challenges for young individuals aspiring to own their first home and for seniors looking to downsize.”

Despite the potential benefits touted by the Liberals, the initiative has faced scrutiny. Critics are questioning the economic implications and sustainability of such a significant policy shift.

“We know it makes it harder for young people to buy a new home and makes it harder for older people to downsize.”

However, the proposed policy has drawn mixed reactions, with questions raised about its financial viability.

Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis has been particularly critical, highlighting the $1.6 billion a year in revenue that stamp duty generates for the state.

“This is the equivalent amount of money as firing every police officer twice,” Koutsantonis said. 

“If your budget is cut by a third, can you deliver the same service?”

“If they can’t explain how they are going to pay for this, there will be cuts, severe cuts,” he added.

The opposition has insisted no new taxes will be raised to make up for the shortfall.

“There will be no new taxes under a Tarzia Liberal government,” the opposition leader said, adding that “we are not making any cuts to frontline services”. 

But exactly how the policy will be paid for is yet to be seen, with the Liberals saying that plan will come closer to next year’s election.