Bridget Archer (Bass, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House notes that:

(1) the Government took to the election a plan for tax relief for hard-working Australians which will more than double the low and middle income tax offset from 2018-19, and deliver long-term structural reform by lowering the 32 per cent tax rate to 30 per cent from 1 July 2024; and

(2) at the 2019 federal election the coalition was returned to office and that our plan for lower taxes was backed by the Australian people.

With just over 100,000 people making up the electorate of Bass, I'm pleased to state that over 40,400 people will benefit from the government's tax relief for 2018-19 and more than 16,300 will receive the full tax offset of $1,080. Those numbers are significant and important but at the heart of the numbers is people. I would like to talk about what this money means for the hardworking people of Bass and for their lives. Nick, who is a hotel employee in Launceston, will receive the full benefit. Marnie and Matt, nurses at the LGH, will both receive the full benefit of the cuts.

It is a common fact that our winters in northern Tasmania, while very beautiful, can be very cold, sometimes hitting minus two or three. This tax break allows my constituents to have a bit more money to cover their winter heating bill or to pay the local mechanic to service their car or fit some new tyres. It's a bit more money in the pockets of mums and dads for some of those extra costs that come with raising a family. As a mum of five I can assure you that these extras can seem endless. It's new sneakers or clothes that they always seem to be growing out of, some learn-to-swim lessons at the local pool, membership at the local footy or netball club or some extra fuel to drive them to training. It is a few more dollars for the first home owner who has saved hard to purchase their home but would now like to buy some extra paint or some plants for their garden or purchase an item or two from their local homewares small business to complete the look of their home. It might also mean the opportunity to enjoy a weekend getaway at one of Tasmania's fantastic tourism destinations.

This is much-needed tax relief that is welcomed by individuals and families in my electorate because it allows them to keep a little bit more of what they have worked so hard to earn and spend it in the local economy. Importantly it is also about the wider economy. It's about confidence. Time and time again during the election campaign I heard from people in Bass about the importance of confidence to their economic success. From builders and plumbers to retail outlets and tourism operators, every single small business person I spoke to talked about how responsive the economy of northern Tasmania is to confidence and, conversely, how quickly it can react to a lack of confidence. Many were holding their breath waiting on the outcome of the election before deciding on their future plans.

The plan for lower taxes that we took to the election was a critical part of delivering that confidence and it was backed by the people of northern Tasmania. Even in the last week I have spoken to constituents in northern Tasmania who now, because of the return to office of the Morrison Liberal government, have the confidence to move forward with development plans that will create more jobs and more opportunities for the people of Bass. We are seeing an incredible amount of development and investment in Launceston alone on the back of that confidence: multiple new hotel developments, inner city dwellings and the relocation of the University of Tasmania. I look forward to seeing that momentum continue in northern Tasmania, with more confidence, more jobs, more investment and more Tasmanians keeping more of what they have earned.

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