📈 Today's Commercial Property & SMSF News
Bali Dreamin' Reality Check: Hidden Downsides for Aussie Expats
With Australian property prices soaring, many are eyeing cheaper alternatives abroad, particularly in Bali. While the allure of affordable living attracts approximately 10,000 Australians, potential expats should be aware of the less publicized challenges. Despite a thriving expat and digital nomad community, some downsides to full-time Balinese living remain hidden.
Source: www.news.com.au
Brisbane's Luxury Market Cools: Overpriced Homes Languish as Realistic Sellers Succeed
Brisbane's property market is showing a split, with sellers of high-end homes facing challenges due to overestimated buyer demand. Some vendors in the prestige segment are reportedly losing money by rejecting reasonable offers at auction, only to sell for less later. In contrast, properties in the $800,000 to $2 million range are experiencing strong competition and price increases, according to Hot Property Buyers Agency.
Source: www.news.com.au
First Home Guarantee Scheme: Borrowers Face Substantial Hidden Costs
The expanded First Home Guarantee Scheme, designed to help first-time buyers with low deposits, carries a significant hidden cost. Research indicates that homeowners could pay up to $244,000 extra over the loan's life due to the larger debt incurred. While the scheme eliminates lenders' mortgage insurance by allowing purchases with a 5% deposit, the increased loan size results in substantially higher overall repayments.
Source: www.news.com.au
Chris Lucas Sells Flinders Lane Building to Marriner Group
Restaurateur Chris Lucas is selling a five-level building on Flinders Lane to the Marriner Group. Lucas acquired the Maria George building for $14 million last year. The property is located between the Regent and Forum theatres, owned by the Marriner Group. The sale price to the Marriner Group has not been disclosed. Lucas also owns the adjacent building, which houses his Kisume restaurant.
Source: www.smh.com.au
📊 Yesterday's Key Developments
Auditor Warns of CGT Changes Reshaping Investment
Reliance Auditing Services managing director, Naz Randeria, is cautioning clients about potential changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) that could significantly alter investment strategies, particularly for SMSFs and property investors. Randeria suggests that proposed reforms, framed as promoting fairness, may negatively impact long-term wealth creation. The Treasurer is reportedly considering CGT as a potential area for wealth tax reform, coinciding with a senate inquiry into CGT.
Source: www.smsfadviser.com
Shadow Treasurer Accuses Government of Treating Super as a 'Piggy Bank'
Shadow Treasurer Ted O’Brien has criticized the government for allegedly using superannuation funds to address budget deficits and finance specific projects. O’Brien spoke at the Association of Super Funds Australia conference, stating that the Labor party views the $4 trillion superannuation pool as a source of funds for their initiatives. He referred to a previous superannuation tax as an example of the government's approach to accessing superannuation savings.
Source: www.smsfadviser.com
ASIC Files Lawsuits Over Shield and First Guardian Fund Collapses
ASIC has initiated legal proceedings in the Federal Court against InterPrac Financial Planning and SQM Research concerning alleged failures linked to the collapses of the Shield Master Fund and First Guardian Master Fund. The regulator is pursuing civil penalties against both entities and seeking to prevent InterPrac from providing financial services. ASIC claims that InterPrac's oversight and compliance failures exposed numerous investors to poor financial advice and significant risks associated with these funds.
Source: www.smsfadviser.com
Perth's Emerging Downsizer Hotspots
Perth is seeing increased interest from downsizers, attracted by the city's lifestyle and new apartment developments. Inner-city locations are particularly popular due to their walkability, transport links, and access to amenities. House-sized apartments are becoming available, easing the transition for those looking to reduce their property footprint while maintaining a comfortable living space.
Source: www.realestate.com.au
Far North Queensland to Add 50,000 New Homes by 2046
The Queensland government is planning for significant housing growth in Far North Queensland, targeting approximately 48,485 new homes by 2046. A draft regional plan, developed in partnership with local governments, prioritizes housing development in areas with adequate infrastructure. The initiative aims to address future housing needs and is part of a broader state-wide commitment to regional planning.
Source: www.realestate.com.au
Brisbane Sellers Risk Losses by Overpricing High-End Homes
Brisbane's property market is showing a divergence, with high-end homes facing less demand than properties in the $800,000 to $2 million range. Some sellers in the prestige segment are overestimating buyer interest and rejecting strong offers at auction, only to later sell for a lower price. This highlights the risk of overpricing in a market where demand is not uniformly strong across all segments.
Source: www.realestate.com.au
ASIC Sues Over First Guardian, Shield Schemes Collapse
ASIC has initiated legal action against Interprac, the licensee overseeing financial planners involved in the Shield and First Guardian schemes, due to alleged failures leading to their collapse. The corporate watchdog is also suing SQM Research, a ratings agency, claiming deficiencies in their processes when assigning favorable ratings to the Shield Master Fund. Additional legal action is being pursued against MWL Financial Services, its former director Nicholas Maikousis, and Imperial Capital Group Australia for alleged advice failures linked to Shield. These actions follow ASIC's earlier announcement of prioritizing prosecutions related to the collapses of First Guardian and Shield, which resulted in over $1 billion in losses for Australians.
Source: www.abc.net.au
Australian Unemployment Rate Falls, Diminishing Prospects of Near-Term Interest Rate Cut
Australia's unemployment rate has decreased to 4.3% in October, a drop from 4.5% the previous month. This decline has significantly reduced the likelihood of an imminent interest rate cut. The increase of 42,200 employed individuals last month, coupled with a reduction of 17,000 unemployed, has impacted economic forecasts. According to BetaShares chief economist David Bassanese, any possibility of a surprise rate cut by the RBA at its year-end meeting has been effectively eliminated by the robust labor market report.
Source: www.abc.net.au
Kwinana Waste-to-Energy Facility Opens as Australia's First
Australia's inaugural waste-to-energy plant in Kwinana has officially opened after a six-year construction period, with the total cost reaching approximately $1.1 billion.
Source: www.businessnews.com.au
Australian Shares Plunge Amid Diminished Rate Cut Expectations
The Australian share market experienced a significant decline, hitting its lowest point since September 18th, following the release of stronger-than-anticipated jobs data. This data has tempered expectations of further interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank.
Source: www.businessnews.com.au
APRA Releases Roundtable Notes on Regulatory Balance for Insurance Industry
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has published notes from a roundtable discussion with the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) CEOs, focusing on achieving an appropriate balance in industry regulation. APRA Chair John Lonsdale initiated the discussion, gathering insights from general insurance executives, alongside representatives from ASIC. The roundtable, which took place in October 2025, addressed key regulatory challenges within the insurance sector.
Source: www.apra.gov.au
Published: Friday 14 November 2025 | Fresh Articles: 32 | Sections: 15 | RunID: 2025-11-14T08:11:43+11:00
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