James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Minister, yesterday, when asked about the Prime Minister's decision to adopt taxing Australian families who have a spare bedroom in their house, you could not even say no or even mention the tax in your response. Can the minister finally give Australians the clarity they deserve and rule out this tax?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator McGrath for the question, although I don't believe his primary question is an accurate reflection of what—

Thank you for assistance, Senator Cash. I don't believe it's an accurate reflection of what I' said. I'm always happy to discuss with him whether or not my memory is correct, and I refer you to my previous answer. I would say to you, Senator McGrath, I know that those opposite are uncomfortable with the fact that the party that went to the election with higher taxes was you, and I know Senator McGrath and others in the coalition are on the record as wanting smaller government, and it is must be very hard for them to deal with the fact that the party that went to the last election with higher taxes for every taxpayer was the coalition.

What the Prime Minister has said is that we will be implementing the tax policy we took to the last election, towards making the tax system more efficient and fairer. We're going to be implementing our policy to give every Australian taxpayer a tax cut. We cut taxes for every Australian on 1 July 2024 and we will do it again on 1 July 2026 and again on 1 July 2027. It has been very clear that there is one party which has been focused on making our tax system fairer, and that is the Australian Labor Party.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McGrath, a first supplementary?

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I note the minister failed to rule out the spare bedroom tax. Minister, can you guarantee that every family forced to move under the Prime Minister's spare bedroom tax will be offered a suitable, safe and nearby alternative?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is the problem, isn't it, Presidenti, when you have no tax policy of your own—your only refuge in politics is to create a bunch of scare campaigns. We know Senator McGrath is returning to that habit which is in the absence of policy. In the absence of an alternative for the Australian people, why don't we just create a bunch of scare campaigns and try to whip up fear around them? We're not going to be deterred by that. We will continue to implement our tax policies, and they include a tax cut for every Australian.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McGrath, a second supplementary?

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

So, still no ruling out of the spare bedroom tax. Does Labor still stand by its claims to support housing as human right, or has the spare bedroom tax revealed it's more concerned about taxing hardworking Australians than protecting vulnerable families? Isn't this just mean?

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Order across the chamber!

Senator Watt, which part of 'order' did you not understand?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McGrath, I remind you that you are part of a party that opposes more houses. I remind you that you are a part of a party that sought to tax Australians more. Everyone will listen to that question and understand precisely what Senator McGrath is seeking to do. On that note, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.