Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

And it shows. What is also important is some fundamental tax reform—fundamental tax reform to put incentive in the tax system, so the people who do work hard to make our economy strong get a fair go. Of course, the previous government was content to leave in place the most horrendous effective marginal tax rates, particularly ones which affected second-income earners. You left them there year after year after year after year, and we shamed you into acknowledging the problem. We absolutely shamed you into acknowledging the problem. We did. And we can go back through the record.

We understand that working families deserve not only some tax relief but also a tax system that works for them, and we are determined to put one in place. I am proud to have introduced the bill that came to the House today, along with other measures that the government will bring forward as part of its election commitments. The increase in compensation for out-of-pocket childcare costs, for example, and the education tax rebate are all very important parts of assisting working families—who are under tremendous financial pressure—on the one hand, and, on the other hand, effectively lifting workforce participation, which is so important.

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