Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is addressed to the Prime Minister. Given the government has ruled out changes to the legislated increase to the superannuation guarantee, making superannuation voluntary and including the family home in the pension assets test, what is the Prime Minister's response to the many members of his government still campaigning for those very policies?

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As the Treasurer reminded the House yesterday—and I made it very clear in the lead-up to the last election—our policy on those matters is unchanged. What I also know is unchanged is the fact that the Labor Party have a policy for $34 billion of extra taxes on superannuation. They also have a policy that continues to strip away the dividend imputation credits for retirees. That remains their policy. They continue to pursue these matters of policy as fixed items on the Labor agenda. We know why. It's because Labor are always for higher taxes.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will resume his seat. The Leader of the Opposition, on a point of order?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, it goes to relevance. The question was about the government's policies and about the government's backbench, not about the Labor's Party.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There were a number of components to the question and, as I've said before, as much as anyone asking the question wants the minister or Prime Minister to answer it in a particular way, the Prime Minister is on the policy topic. The Prime Minister is in order.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Labor are for higher taxes, and I'll tell you why: it's because they don't know how to control spending either. They went to the 2016 election and were not voted in because their deficits were too big. At the 2019 election, they were not voted in because their taxes were too big. The reason is consistent: Labor cannot manage money. That means Labor will always be for higher taxes and bigger deficits. That's why they cannot be trusted with the management of our economy, and that's why Australians who depend on the essential services that depend on a stronger economy can never rely on Labor.