‘47 Percent Stake’: Small Businesses Turn to AI Memes Against Labor’s Broader Taxes

‘At this rate we’re considering updating the front sign to ’El Arish Tavern—Proudly Co-Owned by the Australian Government,'' said one business.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers arrive at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on May 13, 2026. Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images

From restaurants, hairdressers, and roofers to mechanics, a new online trend is taking off with Australian business owners reacting strongly to the Labor government’s new taxes on wealth creation vehicles.

Last week, Labor overhauled negative gearing on property investments, expanded the capital gains tax, and imposed a new 30 percent tax on discretionary trusts—a legal tool often used by small businesses to help split income and lower their tax obligations.