No higher taxes under Labor, Richard Marles says

Deputy leader Richard Marles says taxes won’t be higher under Labor, putting a nail in the coffin of the ALP’s 2019 poll pitch.

Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles. Picture: Christian Gilles

Richard Marles says taxes will not increase under Labor, putting a nail in the coffin on the tax and spend agenda the ALP took to the 2019 poll.

The deputy Labor leader said an Albanese government would put its focus on different areas to the government, but the amount of overall taxation and spending would not be higher if Anthony Albanese became prime minister.

Speaking at the National Press Club, Labor’s most senior Right faction MP used science as an ­example where better results could be achieved without more spending.

“We need to change the cultural relationship to science. That’s not a function of government revenue,” Mr Marles said.

“That’s a function of how we place science in our societal view. Do we reckon it is important?”

When asked whether a Labor government could achieve its economic goals without increases to taxes or spending, he said: “Correct.”

When asked whether that was what Labor would commit to ahead of the next election, he again said: “Correct.”

Bill Shorten’s negative gearing policy is likely to be jettisoned when Labor announces its policies for the next election. Picture: Gary Ramage

His comments will cause anger within Labor ranks, with many MPs arguing the party should keep key revenue measures to fund an ambitious ­program.

The Opposition Leader has dumped the party’s pre-election plan to change the franking credits system, while senior Labor MPs have told The Australian former leader Bill Shorten’s negative gearing policy would also be jettisoned.

Labor MPs believe there will be a separate housing affordabil­ity package announced by Mr ­Albanese ahead of the election.

In his speech, Mr Marles tried to bolster Labor’s credentials as being supportive of creating wealth rather than class-war policies of redistributing wealth.

He said the role of government was to “nurture an environment where Australians can pursue opportunity”.

With Labor locked in internal division on climate and energy policy since the election, the Hunter Jobs Alliance briefed Labor MPs about the potential to “build Australia’s future as a renewables superpower and deliver generations of jobs”.

The alliance is a partnership among the Labor Environment Action Network, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and the Electrical Trades Union.

About 25 MPs attended the event, which was organised by opposition energy spokesman Chris Bowen, assistant energy spokesman Pat Conroy, Paterson MP Meryl Swanson and Cooper MP Ged Kearney.