‘I’m an honest person’: Albo

Anthony Albanese has defended his broken promise on tax cuts insisting he is “an honest person” as he confirmed he wants the legislation passed before Easter.

The Prime Minister told the ABC’s Insiders program he wanted the new stage three tax cuts legislation to pass the parliament “as soon as possible” and he was to provide the legislation to the Liberal Party on Sunday.

This will allow the Greens and Coalition party rooms to consider the legislation this week ahead of the formal introduction into Parliament on Tuesday.

The changes will double the tax cuts for average workers but slash the $9000-a-year tax cut for high income workers in half.

Mr Albanese (pictured) said this was vital to ensure there was an easy transition for “employers, the tax office, for others as well” ahead of the July 1 introduction.

“We want it passed during this session, which finishes up before Easter, but the sooner the better,” he told Insiders.

“We can give consideration in the House of Representatives in the next two weeks and the Senate will return after a oneweek break and consider the legislation. This is legislation which people see, which will give every taxpayer a tax cut and it should receive the support of every parliamentarian.”

During the interview, Mr Albanese was asked three times if it was still the case that his “word was his bond” and why he didn’t take the proposed changes to the election.

“I’m an honest person. I am upfront,” Mr Albanese said.

“What I have done here is be very, very clear: I’ve listened to people who are all saying to me, ‘well, what are you doing about cost of living? What are the measures that you can put in place?’.”

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has also declared he has no regrets over the decision insisting it was “worth” breaking Labor’s election promise so he could help more Australians.