House debates

Tuesday, 19 June 2018

Questions without Notice

Income Tax

2:57 pm

Photo of Bill ShortenBill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the government confirm that it is unwilling to have the parliament vote on legislation which only deals with the 1 July tax cuts, even though it would pass both houses today? Why is the Prime Minister threatening that unless the top 20 per cent of income earners get a tax cut in six years time, then low- and middle-income earners will get nothing now?

2:58 pm

Photo of Malcolm TurnbullMalcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

We have a comprehensive Personal Income Tax Plan—a comprehensive plan for reform. The Leader of the Opposition voted for it in the House of Representatives.

Photo of Scott MorrisonScott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | | Hansard source

All of them!

Photo of Malcolm TurnbullMalcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

He did! All of them! They all voted for it, and they could vote for it again in the Senate. And then, filled with confidence about their prospects at the next election, they could sweep back into government—so they plan—and they could amend it and repeal it. Why don't they do that? It's open to them.

The only people that are standing in the way of tax relief for Australians on 1 July are the members opposite.