Morrison to launch attack on Labor’s ‘$ 10b tax shortfall’

SCOTT Morrison will today launch a full- throttle assault on Labor for being $ 10 billion in the hole over its calculation of its controversial “granny” retiree tax.

The Turnbull Government will outlay the assault as it tries to convince the cross bench to pass the full suite of company tax cuts and personal income tax cuts, and celebrate today’s launch of Australia- European Union Free Trade Agreement ( FTA) negotiations with the EU.

The next fortnight will be the final sittings of Parliament ahead of a sixweek recess, in which five by- elections will be held.

The testy fortnight has a lot at stake for both sides, as Finance Minister Mathias Cormann tries to rally a deal for both tax plans, both harder to land because of the implosion of One Nation.

Despite the sittings, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will likely be distracted by the five by- elections on July 28, knowing he will likely face a leadership challenge from Anthony Albanese if he loses Longman or Braddon.

The Treasurer will today lambast the Opposition for being unable to do its sums and point to Treasury Department analysis that has modelled the Labor plan will recoup less than $ 1 billion over the forward estimates and about $ 10 billion over the decade.

Mr Morrison will ask Labor which of its policy and by- election pledges it will dump now because of the oversight.