David Bradbury (Lindsay, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer ) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to take the opportunity to thank the member for Casey for his contribution not just today but for all of those Medicare levy bills that have seen the threshold increased to ensure that low-income earners do not have to contribute to the Medicare levy until such time as they reach that threshold.

The Tax Laws Amendment (Medicare Levy) Bill 2013 amends the Medicare Levy Act 1986 to increase the Medicare levy low-income threshold for families in line with the consumer price index. The families threshold amount is to be increased from $32,743 to $33, 693 so that families in this cohort do not pay the Medicare levy when they do not have a tax liability. For each dependent child this threshold increases, and the amount this threshold increases will also change from $3,007 to $3,094. The amendments to the Medicare levy low-income thresholds apply to the 2012-13 year of income and to future income years.

The Medicare levy low-income thresholds for individuals and pensioners have already been increased for 2012-13 as part of the Clean Energy Future Plan Household Assistance Package. Full details of the measures in this bill are contained in the explanatory memorandum.

I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the presence in the gallery of members of the Penrith Christian School, from my electorate, who are visiting Canberra today and to welcome them as they get an insight into the way in which important legislation is passed through this place. I commend the bill to the House.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

Ordered that this bill be reported to the House without amendment.

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