By Laurence Karacsony
Publication Date: 2026-05-25 21:32:00
Businesses struggling with rising taxes and financial pressures have been warned that AI-powered jibes at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese could cost them up to $100 million in fines.
Since passing the budget on May 12, the prime minister has been ridiculed by startup founders who portrayed him as the latest “silent partner” in their companies.
Labor abolished the 50 per cent CGT rebate and replaced it with inflation-adjusted cost base indexation combined with a minimum tax rate of 30 per cent on capital gains.
High earners would have to expect an even higher capital gains tax rate of up to 47 percent as part of the indexation model.
Charlotte Hale, head of the dispute resolution practice at business law firm LegalVision, said the memes flooding social media were not necessarily illegal but could cross a line.
“Legal risk begins when a post creates the impression that the individual has endorsed, approved, sponsored or participated in the company,” Ms Hale told The Australian.
Ms. Hale said if…
