Chalmers said that while inflation was easing,households were still doing it tough which was why the government had made the changes to the income tax cuts.
“I say to the Liberals and Nationals,do not stand in the way of a bigger tax cut for the steelworkers and truckies and teachers and nurses of this country. Do not stand in the way of a bigger tax cut to help middle Australia deal with these cost-of-living pressures,” he said.
Shadow cabinet discussed the tax overhaul in Perth on Tuesday and Dutton said the Coalition was concerned about a “black hole” in the government’s costings of the changes. Treasury analysis found the changes would cost roughly the same in the 2024-25 financial year,but would increase tax revenue by $28 billion over 10 years. The Coalition’s original plan was estimated to cost $388 billion over a decade.
“I think there is a lot to play out in relation to this debate,and I think Australians have been staggered by the fact that their prime minister looked them in the eye and bluntly lied to them,” Dutton said.
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When asked when people could expect shadow cabinet to reach a position on the tax cuts,Dutton said the Coalition would make an announcement when it does.
“We’ll have an announcement in due course. I wasn’t planning on making an announcement this week,in any case,” he said.