Sussan Ley to back ‘national interest’ but vows to fight Labor on costly tax

Opposition leader Sussan Ley has shrugged off dire polling for the Coalition and vowed to fight Labor “every step of the way” on tax.

Opposition leader Sussan Ley has shrugged off dire polling for the Coalition and vowed to fight Labor “every step of the way” on tax, claiming Australians will pay more under the Albanese Government.

In an address to her Coalition colleagues – the first time both Liberal and National MPs have been in the since room since their temporary split in May – Ms Ley said the opposition would “not be judged by the headlines of the day” but “what we offer the Australian people at the next election”.

Parliament sits on Tuesday for the first time since Labor secured a thumping majority in the lower house, withAnthony Albanese telling his caucus not to “ever” take being in government “for granted”.

“We know that each and every day we must work hard to repay the faith that has been shown in us,” he said to his colleagues in Canberra.

“And I know from campaigning with every one of you that that is the determination which is there.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Picture: NewsWire/Martin Ollman

Mr Albanese said his government must continue to deal with the “immediate issues” stemming from last term’s inflation crisis as well as laying out a plan for the future.

“This is our task – the short term, making a positive difference to people’s lives, but always with our eye on the horizon,” he said.

The Coalition is expected to back Labor’s proposal to crackdown on childcare providers who aren’t up to scratch, and also a 20 per cent cut to HECS student debt, but is still mulling the government’s proposal to protect the penalty rates of people on awards as many in the party believe the current system is sufficient.

Opposition leader Sussan Ley. Picture: NewsWire/Martin Ollman

Ms Ley said if Labor brought forward “constructive policies” that were “in the national interest”, the opposition would support and work with them.

“A good example of that is the childcare legislation that we want to see implemented for the safety of children in childcare centres across this country,” she said.

“But if they don’t do that, if they bring forward legislation that is not in the national interest and it is not the interests of Australians, then we will fight them every step of the way – and they’ve already started.”

Ms Ley warned of the risk of higher taxes under Labor after department advice to Treasurer Jim Chalmers advising of the need for either cuts or more revenue raising measures to deal with the structural budget deficit was accidentally leaked.

Meanwhile, Nationals leader David Littleproud accused Mr Albanese of “swanning around the international stage” and forgetting “struggling” Australians.

“The fundamentals have not changed and we do not need to change, but we need to prepare to have that fight,” he said.

“We will agree where we can but where we must we will hold true to our values and beliefs and have the courage to stand up.”

Originally published as Sussan Ley to back ‘national interest’ but vows to fight Labor on costly tax