Sophie Scamps rejects GST political attacks by right-wing lobby group

Mackellar MP Sophie Scamps has ruled out supporting an increase to the GST, accusing the coal lobby of orchestrating a campaign of political attack ads.

Independent MP Sophie Scamps. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Mackellar MP Sophie Scamps has ruled out supporting an increase to the GST, accusing the “coal lobby” of orchestrating a campaign of political attack ads following a win against the fossil fuel industry in a bid to “drown out our community’s voice”.

After Dr Scamps became the latest teal MP to be targeted by the political ads from former Liberal MP Julian Simmonds’s right-wing pressure group Australians for Prosperity (A4P), the independent hit back at claims she supported raising the GST as part of wider tax reforms.

A4P has launched a political advertising blitz targeting teal seats ahead of the federal election, due by May, accusing independent MPs of being out of step with voters on cost-of-living issues and seeking to increase taxes.

Dr Scamps wrote to Mr Simmonds on Friday demanding A4P take down the Facebook ad by Monday, dismissing the online video for “spreading disinformation” that was “misleading” and “untrue”. In the video, she can be seen telling Sky News “everything should be on the table” when it comes to tax reform.

“I support reducing income tax, I voted to reduce income tax, and I do not support increasing the GST,” Dr Scamps told The Australian. “The coal lobby is behind these false attack ads.

“With huge local wins like we’ve just had with the rejection of the licence to drill for oil and gas off the coast of the northern beaches, this is the fossil fuel industry trying to drown out our community’s voice.”

Mr Simmonds, executive director of A4P, has called on Dr Scamps to rule out supporting an increase in the rate of GST, applying capital gains tax to the family home and any taxes that would increase the cost of energy bills.

He wrote back to Dr Scamps on Monday defending the ads, saying they “accurately reflect” public statements she had previously made on the issues.

“Dr Scamps has called for an ‘everything on the table’ review of the tax system, including raising taxes, explicitly advocating for a ‘brave’ discussion on increasing the GST,” Mr Simmonds said.

“She has repeatedly been asked to rule out a GST rise, capital gains tax on the family home, and energy bill increases.

“All she needs to do is rule these out, and we’ll withdraw the ads. Until then, Dr Scamps is keeping tax rises on the table.”

A4P has also targeted Koo­yong MP Monique Ryan and Wentworth MP Allegra Spender’s seats with display boards attacking the independent MPs for supporting “rising bills”.

Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes a Court criticised A4P for playing “dirty politics” and initiating an “astroturfing campaign”. He also accused A4P of accepting donations from lobby group Coal Australia to fund its operations.

Climate 200 sent a legal notice to A4P after it used a doctored version of the political group’s logo on its signs and billboards.