In the lead-up to its first budget since 2013, Labor has confirmed it has no plan and no integrity on tax. What is more, the teals have also given Labor the green light to dump the biggest reform to income taxes in 30 years.

Last week, Jim Chalmers was forced to clean up a crisis of his own making. In a move worthy of Houdini, the treasurer tried to wriggle out of Labor’s election promise to keep the stage three income tax cuts. But by the end of the week, having exhausted himself and his colleagues, he gave up. But not before hinting he might try again next May.