ScoMo to face taxing time
Albanese won’t support later stages of reform
LABOR’S leader-in-waiting Anthony Albanese has flagged he won’t back the Government’s full tax plan, squaring up for the first fight of the new Parliament.
It comes as Queensland MP Jim Chalmers faces stiff competition to be Labor’s deputy after choosing not to contest the leadership ballot “this time around”.
Mr Albanese gave a leadership-style pitch yesterday afternoon after Dr Chalmers’ withdrawal, in which he promised to call out unions if they stepped out of line, and to show respect for people regardless of faith, where they lived or their sexuality.
While he has overwhelming support in Caucus, Mr Albanese said he would not get ahead of the process and would await the close of nominations on Monday before taking further action.
On the Government’s proposed tax cuts, Mr Albanese would only commit to passing the offset of up to $1080 and not later reforms to stop bracket creep.
“Can I say we are preparing to support the first tranche, which is about lower and middle income earners,” he said.
“The idea that you make a decision in 2019 about what happens in the middle of the next decade is, quite frankly, a triumph of hope over experience and reality.”
It sets Labor up for an immediate conflict with the reelected Morrison Government.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said the tax cuts would be put through Parliament as a matter of urgency, while Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the Bill would not be split.
This means it will likely have to be negotiated with the crossbench to get through the second and third stages of tax reform, which will raise the income threshold for tax brackets and drop the rate.
Mr Albanese said he recognised the magnitude of the challenge Labor faced in rebuilding after Saturday’s loss, but if elected leader he would take an approach of respect.
“Respect for people wherever they live, respect for people whatever their faith, respect for people whatever their sexuality and lifestyle,” he said.
He is expected to walk back the class-warfare approach taken by outgoing Opposition leader Bill Shorten.