Mark Bishop WA, Australian Labor Party
2:37 pm
My question is to the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Sherry. Minister, how is the government continuing to deliver on its pledge to reduce taxes for working families? Are there any—
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Senators:
Opposition senators interjecting—
John Hogg President
Order! Senator Bishop is entitled to be heard in silence. When there is silence in the chamber we will proceed. I suggest that those people wanting to have a discussion go outside.
Mark Bishop WA, Australian Labor Party
I will start the question again. Minister, how is the government continuing to deliver on its pledge to reduce taxes for working families? Are there any imminent initiatives Australian families can expect for income tax relief and to ease cost-of-living pressures?
Nick Sherry Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer
Thank you, Senator Bishop, for that very important question. The government have cut income tax. We have cut income tax in all three of our budgets. The government know that many families are feeling the pinch, and that is despite Australia’s strong economic performance. That is why it is important to know that from next Thursday our third round of tax cuts will cut in to help with cost-of-living pressures. To give you an example, for a worker on an income of $50,000 a year, the tax cut starting on 1 July is worth—
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Opposition Senators:
Opposition senators interjecting—
Nick Sherry Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer
I would have thought those opposite would like to know about the tax cuts starting on 1 July. For a worker on $50,000 a year, there will be a tax cut, starting on 1 July, of $450 a year. These tax cuts will provide some extra help and make a difference to families on a tight budget. They mean that someone earning $50,000 is paying $1,750 less tax than they were when this Labor government came to office—that is, a reduction in tax of $1,750. It means that the worker on $50,000 a year has seen their tax bill cut by 20 per cent in three years under this Labor government.
To give a couple of other examples: a worker on $35,000 has received a cumulative tax cut of $1,500 a year and a worker on $40,000 has received a cumulative tax cut of $1,800 a year. These are very, very significant income tax cuts that are being delivered by this Labor government. Our tax cuts put more incentive into the system— (Time expired)
Mark Bishop WA, Australian Labor Party
Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. What other policies do the government have in place to add to the day-to-day benefits for ordinary Australians?
Nick Sherry Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer
As I was saying, the Gillard Labor government recognise that it has been important to assist low- and middle-income earners—and not just workers, who are earning an income, but age pensioners. We have delivered the most significant increase in the age pension in over 100 years.
Eric Abetz Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
And you are proud of that.
Nick Sherry Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer
Senator Abetz, I am proud of it, because you did not do one—
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Opposition Senators:
Opposition senators interjecting—
Bill Heffernan NSW, Liberal Party
You’ve sent them a bill of $9,000 each in public debt.
John Hogg President
Senator Heffernan! When we have silence we will proceed.
Nick Sherry Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer
Yes, I am proud of the fact that this Labor government have delivered income tax cuts, as I have outlined, and I am very, very proud that this Labor government have delivered an increase in the age pension over and above the normal indexation measures it provides, because we know that those opposite did not deliver 1c extra in the age pension when they were in government for almost 12 long years—not one cent, Senator Abetz. (Time expired)
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Opposition Senators:
Opposition senators interjecting—
Michael Ronaldson Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Special Minister of State and Scrutiny of Government Waste
It’s another job interview—you and Kim with your job interviews.
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment Participation, Apprenticeships and Training
Why did you get rid of your Prime Minister, if everything’s going so well?
John Hogg President
Senator Cormann! If senators wish to debate the issue, the time is at the end of question time, when there is plenty of time available to put your view.
Mark Bishop WA, Australian Labor Party
Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Is the Assistant Treasurer aware of any risks to the achievements of the government and to the Australian people in negotiating successfully the worst of the global recession?
Eric Abetz Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
Tell us about negotiations with the mining industry.
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment Participation, Apprenticeships and Training
If everything’s so good, why did you knife your Prime Minister?
John Hogg President
You are chewing up question time by your interjections.
Nick Sherry Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer
We do know that those opposite, the Liberal-National Party, opposed the stimulus package, which saved over 200,000 jobs in this economy. Those opposite were predicting there would be a million unemployed—
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Opposition Senators:
Opposition senators interjecting—
John Hogg President
Senator Sherry, just resume your seat. When there is silence we will proceed.
Nick Sherry Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer
We know that those opposite are a very, very significant risk to the Australian economy. They opposed the stimulus package. Their opposition to the stimulus package would have seen a million unemployed in this country and it would have seen Australia go into recession. We are very proud of our pension increases. We are very proud of our income tax cuts. All those opposite can deliver is a promise to bring back Work Choices—to cut the pay and conditions of Australian workers. We know how enthusiastic and motivated you are to bring back Work Choices. It is in their DNA, Mr President.
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Opposition Senators:
Opposition senators interjecting—
John Hogg President
Senator Sherry, you comments should be addressed to the chair, and those on my left should cease interjecting. Senator Sherry, continue.
Nick Sherry Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer
Thank you, Mr President. Through you, Mr President, it is in their DNA over there. They want to bring back Work Choices. (Time expired)