Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull promises tax cuts for middle income earners
THE PM’s promised tax cut plan for middle-income battlers is just a ‘thought bubble’ with no detail, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten claimed today.
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THE PM’s promised tax cut plan for middle-income battlers is just a ‘thought bubble’ with no detail, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said today.
Malcolm Turnbull last night told Australia’s top business leaders the federal government will deliver personal income tax cuts for middle-income battlers
But Mr Shorten today accused him of giving millionaires a tax cut while lifting the Medicare levy by 0.5 per cent.
“It is like free beer tomorrow, isn’t it? This guy says whatever comes into his head to keep the wolves from the door,” Mr Shorten told the Seven Network.
“We all know there is a Newspoll this weekend. What Malcolm does is on the week before a Newspoll, he comes up with a thought bubble ... but he’s got no detail on it,” Mr Shorten said.
On a day when he caused uproar by cancelling Parliament to avoid the spectacle of Labor seizing control and introducing a Banking Commission of Inquiry, Mr Turnbull tried to reset the agenda by pledging tax cuts for middle income Australians and explaining why his leadership qualities of calm composure are needed during “times of uncertainty.”
“Our goal is always to leave more money in your pocket, not in ours.” - PM Malcolm Turnbull
Mr Turnbull took the rare stop of foreshadowing hip-pocket tax relief for families six months out from the Federal Budget in a speech to the Business Council of Australia dinner tonight.
“In the personal income tax space, I am actively working with the Treasurer and my Cabinet colleagues to ease the burden on middle-income Australians, while also meeting our commitment to return the budget to surplus,” he said.
“My commitment to all Australians is this: whether you are starting out in your first job, a worker providing for their family, or a business hiring staff, our goal is always to leave more money in your pocket, not in ours.
“Another way of putting more money into people’s pockets is by increasing their disposable income through lower taxes.
“Higher taxes penalise people who are trying to get ahead. But when you reward hard work and enterprise, you encourage hard work and enterprise.”
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With discussions rife about the leadership aspirations of senior Cabinet ministers Peter Dutton, Scott Morrison and Julie Bishop, the Prime Minister told Australia’s business elite that he holds the leadership qualities required to see Australia through this “time of uncertainty.”
“It has also proven that in times of uncertainty, the nation needs calm and measured leadership; a steady hand at the helm — even it if does result in people asking me why I am so calm,” Mr Turnbull said.
“To those I simply answer in the words of my wise colleague Rowan Ramsey Member for Grey, ‘if you think tossing and turning all night will solve your problems, go right ahead. As for me, I prefer a good night’s sleep’.”
“So calm, composure, deliberation — that’s how we overcome our challenges, just as we have done ever since the election last year.”
Mr Turnbull took the opportunity to reiterate his agenda of creating jobs, embarking on personal and corporate tax cuts, budget savings, childcare and housing affordability.
He said the major bank levy “brought us no joy” but said it was necessary to help repair the federal finances.
In the speech, Mr Turnbull also spoke about the citizenship crisis in Canberra but said it would be dealt with by Christmas and it wasn’t as bad as it seemed, blaming the media for exaggerating the problem that has already forced his Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce and backbencher John Alexander to hold by-elections.
“I know it sells more newspapers to write headlines about chaos and threats to democracy. And of course increasingly the hyperbolic outrage and sensation of the Twittersphere has infected much of the mainstream media,” he said.
“The reality however is more mundane, but also, more reassuring.”
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He joked that “in the future only thoroughbreds will have more of their genealogy published than our federal politicians!”
Mr Turnbull’s bold speech came amid uproar over his decision to effectively cancel the sitting week of Parliament starting on November 27.
Originally published as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull promises tax cuts for middle income earners
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