‘Certainty for people’: PM Albanese to keep controversial tax cut policy

The Prime Minister has made a firm call on one his predecessor’s key policies, revealing he will keep one change he fought against in the past.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged to “change the way politics works in this country” when he was elected last month, but in an wide-ranging interview he’s revealed he’ll keep a key policy of his predecessor’s he criticised and fought to change.

Mr Albanese spoke of cost-of-living policy, relations with China and Russia’s war in Ukraine in a sit-down interview with 7 News Spotlight.

During the interview he was questioned about the three-stage tax cuts introduced by previous prime minister, Scott Morrison, back when he was treasurer.

The third stage of the policy, which is scheduled to come into effect in the 2024-25 financial year, will see tax brackets changed so that someone who earns a gross salary of $45,000 a year will pay the same tax rate as someone who earns four times the amount.

Mr Albanese told Seven his party tried to scrap the policy when it was being debated in parliament to make it more equitable, but those attempts failed.

“What we did was try to amend the tax legislation that was before the parliament, we weren’t successful,” he said.

But regardless of being in power now, Mr Albanese said he would stick to his election promise and keep the policy he fought in opposition.

“We said during the election campaign that we would maintain the position that had already been legislated,” he said.

“What I believe in is certainty for people. And we said we would provide that certainty. And we will.”

Questions are being raised as to whether Bill Shorten will try and poach the top job. Picture: Alison Wynd

Mr Morrison introduced the policy in his final federal budget as treasurer in 2018. At the time, Bill Shorten was the leader of the Labor Party and argued against the budget measure.

Today, Mr Shorten is now a member of Mr Albanese’s cabinet and holds the position of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Minister.

Having spent the past 15 years in parliament, questions are now being raised as to whether Mr Shorten still aspires to fill the top spot.

When asked if he was concerned his Minister still had those aspirations, Mr Albanese was blunt.

“He’s had two shots at the election and wasn’t successful. He now is a member of my cabinet,” he said.

“He’s doing a good job and I’m very confident that he’ll be a constructive member of my team.”