Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas has made a firm commitment to introduce substantial and significant taxation reform policy at the next Western Australian state election, aiming to directly confront the state's escalating housing crisis. This pledge comes as ongoing calls for stamp duty adjustments continue to dominate political discussions.
Advocating for Stamp Duty Changes
Mr Zempilas has been actively advocating for modifications to stamp duty regulations specifically targeting first-homebuyers. One of his key proposals involves linking the duty-free threshold to the median house price, a measure designed to better reflect current market conditions and provide more meaningful relief to aspiring homeowners.
Beyond Immediate Proposals
This week, the Opposition Leader expanded his position significantly, declaring that his party would pursue what he termed "genuine taxation reform" in the lead-up to the next state election. While stopping short of announcing detailed policy specifics, Mr Zempilas made his intentions clear regarding the Liberal Party's direction.
"It is not an official policy that I am announcing in detail today," he stated. "But I can tell you that the Liberal Party, the Parliamentary Liberal Party in Western Australia, strongly believes that when we address the housing emergency that is before us, we have to be serious about genuine taxation reform, and the State Government have not been."
Substantial Policy Development
Mr Zempilas emphasized that while specific details remain under development, significant policy formulation is underway within the opposition ranks. He confirmed the party's commitment to presenting comprehensive reform proposals to voters.
"Will the Liberal Party take genuine reform forward to the next election? Yes we will," he affirmed. "I'm not going to give you the details now, but it is an area that has not had due attention from this State Government that will be given due consideration over the next years of our time in Opposition. We will take something substantial and significant forward to the next election."
Current Stamp Duty Framework
Under existing regulations, first-homebuyers in Western Australia benefit from specific stamp duty concessions:
- No duty payable on purchases up to $500,000
- Reduced rates applicable for properties valued up to $700,000 in the Perth and Peel regions
- Reduced rates for properties valued up to $750,000 elsewhere in the state
These thresholds were increased in mid-2025 as part of the State Budget, representing an improvement from previous levels of $450,000 for full exemption and $600,000 statewide for reduced rates.
Market Realities
Despite these adjustments, housing prices have continued their dramatic ascent in recent years. Perth's median house price now approaches the $1 million mark, creating a significant gap between current thresholds and market realities that many argue renders existing concessions increasingly ineffective.
Government Position
The Cook Government has maintained resistance to further threshold modifications, expressing concern about potential unintended consequences of rapid policy changes. Housing Minister John Carey articulated this cautious approach in January, highlighting the need for responsible governance.
"It's important that governments act responsibly because poorly targeted or rushed changes can add further pressure to a tight market, driving prices higher rather than improving affordability," Minister Carey explained to The West Australian.
Industry Support
Mr Zempilas' proposals have garnered support from property industry representatives, including REIWA president Suzanne Brown. Industry advocates have argued for more flexible threshold mechanisms that can better adapt to fluctuating market conditions and provide more relevant assistance to first-homebuyers navigating Western Australia's challenging property landscape.
The debate over taxation reform and housing affordability continues to intensify as Western Australia approaches its next electoral cycle, with opposition proposals positioning themselves as substantial alternatives to current government approaches.
