Federal Budget: Scott Morrison tax cuts won’t be as generous as in Howard era

BAD Santa Scott Morrison has said tax cuts for middle-income mum and dads will not be as generous as those from the Howard era as he flagged new US-style laws to allow farmers to get rich from gas on their land.

BAD Santa Scott Morrison has said tax cuts for middle-income mum and dads will not be as generous as those from the Howard era as he flagged new US-style laws to allow farmers to get rich by sharing in the profits of gas found on their land.

In an exclusive and wide­-ranging interview with the Miranda Devine Live show, Mr Morrison also lent his support to under-fire rugby star Israel Folau, describing him as a “good man” and saying he was welcome to join the Cronulla Sharks any day.

And looking ahead to the federal budget, which he will hand down in less than three weeks, Mr Morrison said tax cuts for middle-income families would not be as generous as under John Howard.

“That was a different time, and particularly in terms of the money that was coming in at those times, as we all ­recall, (as) the mining boom started to pick up that was a very different time for our economy,” he said.

“That is people’s own money. I am happy for them to keep as much of their money as I can ensure.”

Mr Morrison also ruled out redirecting company tax cuts for businesses turning over more than $50 million a year to personal tax cuts, saying it was worth only $1.3 billion.

“That wouldn’t get you a drop pretty much when it comes to personal income tax cuts but reducing the tax burden on business is really important and that’s why we’re sticking with it,” he said.

Treasurer Scott Morrison was able to enjoy a festive laugh a few months out of season in yesterday’s podcast session with Miranda Devine. Picture: James Croucher

FARMERS

In a move to increase gas supply, Mr Morrison said he was working with the state government to change property laws so farmers can share the profits from gas unlocked on their land. The Beverly Hillbilly-inspired laws would mirror the legal framework in Texas, where Mr Morrison has recently visited, where some landowners have become wealthy overnight.

“Look, there’s nothing really preventing us from being able to come up with arrangements which can mirror those outcomes,” he said of property owners sharing in the profit.

“Now our property law, you’re right, is different — but those things are not insoluble. We’ve been seeking to have these things unlocked now for some time, the Prime Minister and I and Josh Frydenberg­.”

Mr Morrison suggested that radio hosts — presumably Alan Jones — were a problem stopping the NSW government from unlocking more gas and lowering electricity prices.

“We’ve been wanting the states to unlock their gas. Now there are a lot of opponents to that. You know they fill the airwaves as much as they do the parliaments and the fact that gas is being locked up in Australia is pushing your prices up.”

ISRAEL FOLAU

Mr Morrison defended Wallabies star Folau, describing him as a “good man” who was standing up for his faith.

Folau has faced significant public backlash after saying homosexuals and other sinners would end up in “hell”.

Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison spoke earlier yesterday outside the Governor Phillip Tower in Sydney, warning that bank directors caught breaking the law in the banking royal commission faced jail time.

But he said Folau showed “a lot of character” in refusing to back down in the face of criticism. “He wouldn’t have intended to offend or hurt anyone because that’s very much against the faith he feels so passionately about,” he said.

“He has shown, I think, a lot of character in standing for what he believes in and I think that’s what this country is all about.”

Mr Morrison also jokingly suggested Folau was welcome to switch codes and join the Treasurer’s beloved Cronulla Sharks: “He’s welcome at the Sharks by the way.”

RELIGION

Religious freedom is an issue Mr Morrison, a practising Christian, said has been a passion of his since he first entered Parliament.

Describing Philip Ruddock — heading up the panel reviewing religious freedoms — as holding “a deep appreciation of the role of faith in society”, he said freedom of religion was one of our “fundamental liberties as citizens”.

“That doesn’t mean we all have to agree with each other about religion …. but it would be a pretty sick society without faith. My life would be pretty sick without it too. It means a lot to me.”

SANTA

On the front page of The Daily Telegraph this week, the Treasurer has been portrayed as Santa Claus, delivering a budget full of “goodies”, and then Bad Santa when he cancelled Christmas in May and said there would be no “bag of gifts”, pledging only fiscal responsibility.

Asked, what character he would like to appear on the front page as, Mr Morrison said: “I’m just that boring little accountant with the black visor just crunching away in the back room, making sure that all the budget numbers add up and I can pay for the services that people need.”