Yvette D'Ath (Petrie, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I stand here today proud to be part of a government that can deliver. I acknowledge the great words of the member for Oxley, who not only put things succinctly but also touched on the importance of our democratic system and tax reform. This tax forum was not just one of those forums where people sit around a room and talk a lot and go away and nothing is done. This was one of those forums that can really see great change come about. We saw this in the chamber this morning with the passing of the Clean Energy package through the House. We have seen it in healthcare reform, we have seen it in delivering for our schools and we have seen it in the Gillard Labor government's commitment to tax reform. Since the start of 2010 the government has announced 32 reforms to Australia's tax system which will deliver for small business, industry, the environment, working families, seniors and future generations—as you can see, the list is long. These reforms include cuts to business tax to help the struggling firms, with a company tax cut and a $1 billion tax break for small business; boosting superannuation and making concessions fairer; as well as promoting participation by tripling the tax-free threshold from $6,000 to $18,200. This demonstrates that Labor delivers.

What we as a Labor government have done is promote inclusion. We have sought to hear from groups and individuals across the country about what they want to see in reforming our tax system. We did this by hosting a two-day tax forum which showed that constructive and positive policy can be achieved when everyone comes along with goodwill. Almost 200 businesses, unions, community representatives, tax experts, federal parliamentarians and state treasurers came to the forum to have a meaningful and productive conversation about the direction of our country's tax system.

Among our other achievements, a few that stand out in my mind are those proposed in the 2011 budget, including plans to increase from 15 to 30 the number of hours people on a disability support pension can work and still retain access to their pension; the introduction of an immediate write-off for the first $5,000 of the cost of a motor vehicle for small businesses; the establishment of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission; and better alignment between family tax benefit part A and youth allowance. What is more is that Labor recognises that not every family or every individual is the same, which is why we have sought reforms which cater for the different needs of different Australians. We have improved participation incentives by delivering personal income tax cuts of $47 billion in our first three budgets. We will free over one million low-income earners from needing to lodge a tax return. We will make tax time simpler by introducing an optional standard tax deduction for work related expenses, starting in 2012-13, starting at $500 and increasing to $1,000 in 2013-14. We are increasing the superannuation guarantee age limit from 70 years to 75 years, helping mature workers remain in the workforce.

We have increased the childcare rebate from 30 per cent to 50 per cent of out-of-pocket costs, as well as delivering a historic increase in pension rates. We have introduced a new work bonus to reward age pensioners who do part-time work. These are great Labor initiatives and reforms.

In five minutes I simply cannot cover the extensive list of reforms this Labor government have committed to in such a short period of time in government. We have made those commitments to ensure that we are governing for all Australians, that we are the party for all Australians, whether from regional, remote or metropolitan areas. Whether they are in the workforce or retired, we as a Labor government are committed to delivering the important tax reforms needed to take this country forward.

I am proud of what this government has committed to, but more importantly this government is committed to making the tough decisions now and into the future, whether it be on climate change—as we saw in this House this morning—whether it is introducing a minerals resource rent tax to help business to increase superannuation for people's retirements and investing in infrastructure in our communities, investing in education and health, assisting those most in need and strengthening our economy.

This Labor government is up to the job. We are committed to tax reform; we are committed to delivering for the people of Australia. We have proved that today, we have proved it in the reforms that we have delivered since coming into government in 2007, and we will continue with that commitment to the Australian people.

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