Tax avoidance legislation has been in place for many years. A wash sale can occur at anytime during the FY, it's just more typical at year end, when a taxpayer crystallizes a loss to offset capital gain(s). From the article "This is a wash sale.... done to create a loss to offset against a gain already derived, or expected to be derived".
KWR Price at posting:
6.4¢ Sentiment: Hold Disclosure: Held