Budget 2018: no cuts for business: Shorten, Turnbull

Turnbull and Shorten have united against tax cuts for big businesses.

Matthew and Roxane Turnbull from Baulkham Hills, Sydney, with their daughter, Lucy. Picture: Adam Taylor

Turnbull and Shorten have ­united against tax cuts for big businesses. No, no, not that Turnbull and Shorten.

The Shortens from Camden South and the Turnbulls from Baulkham Hills in Sydney agree on more than their namesakes in parliament.

Roxane, 35, and Matthew Turnbull, 36, both earn more than $100,000 and are in favour of a personal income tax cut if government services can still be funded. The couple will get just over $1000 in tax relief next ­financial year, rising to more than $2250 in 2024-25.

“An income tax cut would help, especially with the high cost of living in Sydney,” Ms Turnbull said. “But on the other hand, I’d be comfortable with people on the higher end getting taxed more if it helps to fund schools and ­hospitals.”

Melissa, 43, and Jay Shorten, 44, are also both earning more than $100,000 and are happy for their clansman, Bill Shorten, to start a battle over who has the bigger tax cut.

“I think a small cut in personal income tax would boost the economy at a local, state and federal level. It would also really help my household budget overall,” Mr Shorten said. Ms Shorten said the relief of just over $1000 next financial year would help with family expenses.

Mr Shorten and Ms Turnbull are staunchly against tax cuts for businesses earning more than $50 million. “I haven’t been convinced yet that a company tax cut will help create more jobs ... companies primarily want to look after their shareholders,” Ms Turnbull said.

Mr Shorten, who works for Tooheys Brewery, said big businesses got enough favours from the Australian Taxation Office.

The Shortens at home in Camden South: Jackson, 17, Melissa and Jay, Georgia, 10 and Emilee, 15. Picture: Hollie Adams

“We’re very highly taxed in this lucky country of ours ... and we need to focus on the things that are important like families, education, hospitals,” he said.

While they may agree with Labor on company taxes, both Mr Shorten and Ms Turnbull back the Coalition on divided ­imputations.

“That’s just another money grab from the government,” Mr Shorten said.

“We don’t have a strong enough pension in this country ... people work hard for their super,” Mrs Turnbull said.

So what do they think of Malcolm and Bill? Ms Turnbull, a marketing manager, said she couldn’t see much difference between the two leaders.

“Turnbull is doing a good job leading the country but he’s not done some of the things he said he would ... whether that’s him or his party, I don’t know,” she said.

“Shorten is a bit more interventionist, which I like, but I don’t see much of a difference between him and Turnbull ... ­neither of them seems to have much heart.”

Mr Shorten said he liked the Opposition Leader: “He has a better vision to help Aussie ­battlers prosper.”

Ms Shorten, a therapist, does not think much of her namesake. She prefers Mr Turnbull (the Prime Minister, not the marketing manager’s husband).

“I think Bill Shorten is ... out to secure the top job for himself so he’s making lots of promises at the moment but I doubt he will deliver on them,” she said.

“Turnbull could probably make some better decisions ... but he’s doing the best job he can.”

RICHARD FERGUSON

RHIAN DEUTROM