Webinar: Budget update and what this means for businesses, SMEs and family trusts
WACCC opened September with our Federal Budget Update Webinar, bringing members and guests together online for a timely discussion on what the latest reforms may mean for businesses, SMEs, investors and family trusts.
The session was designed with one goal in mind: less jargon, more clarity on how the changes translate into real decisions for business owners, property investors and EV buyers. We were pleased to welcome Jason Barbetti, Principal at Insight Advisory Group, and Brandon See, Partner at William Buck, who unpacked developments across tax and business measures, property investment, capital gains, discretionary trusts and electric vehicles.
Where the Detail Matters More Than the Headline
Much of the discussion returned to a single theme: policy headlines rarely tell the full story. Our speakers walked through the transitional arrangements, effective dates and grandfathering provisions sitting beneath the announcements, and explained why the timing of a decision can matter as much as the decision itself.
Structuring for FY2027
Changes affecting capital gains and trust distributions are quietly reshaping how businesses and property investors may wish to structure going into FY2027. Both speakers emphasised that these are not tax-time conversations. Reviewing existing arrangements, modelling scenarios and considering valuations well ahead of key dates gives members far more room to plan.
Investment and Vehicle Decisions
The session also covered measures relevant to day-to-day business investment, including asset write-off provisions and the evolving fringe benefits tax treatment of electric vehicles. For members weighing a purchase this year against next, the transitional periods were highlighted as worth close attention.
An Open Question for Members
The session closed on a question that drew strong engagement from attendees: are we planning around a permanent shift in the tax landscape, or a policy that may be revisited before it is fully implemented? It is a question worth putting to our wider network as members consider their next move.
Continuing the Conversation
A sincere thank you to Jason Barbetti and Brandon See for sharing their expertise so generously, and for repackaging complex material into something our members could genuinely act on. Thank you also to Mazlee Junid and Mugun S Athirajan for bringing this expertise together, and to Louise Clunies-Ross, Hillary Yee and Beauty Zhao for their work behind the scenes.
We also thank everyone who joined us and contributed questions throughout the session. This webinar is the first in a professional services series we are rolling out for our members, and we look forward to continuing to provide practical, relevant insights that help our community navigate an evolving business environment.
Webminar Videos & Speaker Resources
Speakers Presentation
Mr Jason Barbetti, Principal, Tax & Advisory at Insight Perth
Mr Brandon See, Partner, Business Advisory at William Buck
