What Albo’s QLD trip reveals about his election plans

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has tested out an attack on Prime Minister Scott Morrison while on the road in Queensland.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese is preparing to attack Prime Minister Scott Morrison for hiking taxes, unless the $8 billion tax offsets for low-and-middle wage earners are extended for another year.

As Mr Albanese tested out the tactic in Queensland, his barb came ahead of the mid-year Budget update to be brought down on Thursday.

There has been increasing speculation Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will announce tax relief in the update, or in the March budget ahead of the election.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese with TAFE director Robyn Littlejohn at Caboolture TAFE campus. Picture: John Gass/NCA NewsWire

In a 12-hour blitz as part of the faux-election campaign, the Labor leader hit three electorates in a one-day blitz, as borders opened.

Mr Morrison will be landing in the sunshine state for the first time since lockdown later this week, after hosting South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Canberra on Monday.

Mr Albanese hit the two most marginal seats in the state, Lilley held by Labor on 0.7 per cent, and Longman held by the LNP on a 3.3 per cent margin, as well as stopping off in Petrie.

Two other seats Labor will be targeting in the lead up to the election are Flynn, in central Queensland, and Leichhardt, which includes Cairns.

Mr Frydenberg said on Monday he would not add to speculation around tax relief, saying the Coalition Government had already passed $300 billion in tax cuts for households in the past three years.

“We’ve always sought to cut taxes, and that’s been our track record over the last three years and, indeed, longer than that,” he said.

“It’s a clear very contrast between what we offer the Australian people – lower taxes and more jobs – and what Labor and the Greens offer the Australian people – higher taxes and fewer jobs.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison welcomes South Korean President Moon Jae-in as he signs the official visitor’s book at Parliament House. Picture: Lukas Coch/Getty Images

An extension of the low and middle-income tax offset, a saving at tax time of up to $1080 for people earning up to $126,000, is considered the most likely announcement.

Mr Albanese said the Government had only made that offset temporary and its focus was on the election, not the economics.

“If something doesn’t happen, then what we know is that people will get a tax increase in July next year,” Mr Albanese said.

“They’re complacent about the future. Australia’s economy was so weak, even before the pandemic.”

Mr Albanese will meet with President Moon Jae-in in Sydney today.

Mr Moon’s visit is the first official visit to Australia by a foreign leader since the pandemic and marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Originally published as What Albo’s QLD trip reveals about his election plans