Senator Nick McKim of the Australian Greens repeatedly uses the gender-neutral term ‘grandpersoning’ to describe the government’s protection of existing negative gearing arrangements during a recent press conference.
Press Conference Remarks
During a Tuesday media event alongside party leader Larissa Waters, the Tasmanian senator employed the phrase ‘grandpersoning’ three times in response to one question. ‘It seems as if the government is going to grandperson in existing arrangements,’ McKim stated.
McKim argues that this approach reduces the advantages of reforming the popular tax concession favored by property investors. Grandfathering clauses, the standard term, exempt ongoing arrangements from new legal changes.
Government’s Negative Gearing Reforms
Treasurer Jim Chalmers confirms the elimination of negative gearing for all properties except new builds, effective July 1, 2027. The changes also overhaul capital gains tax, replacing the 50 percent discount with an inflation-linked model.
Public and Media Reactions
McKim’s word choice draws criticism from conservative commentators. Columnist Rita Panahi describes it as ‘a sign of just how fringe and feckless the Greens are,’ labeling the party ‘radical communist clowns.’
A social media post amplifies the debate, prompting comments like a quip noting that ‘person’ contains ‘son.’ Some observers suggest McKim intentionally provokes critics, calling them ‘conservative snowflakes.’
Greens Party Stance
Fellow Greens members stick to conventional terminology. A party media release condemns Labor for ‘leaving intact tens of billions in existing tax handouts for wealthy property investors through grandfathering.’ Housing spokesperson Senator Barbara Pocock states, ‘The housing tax changes grandfather inequality.’
