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

I thank the member for Bass for his question. This government has been delivering real tax reform to ensure that hardworking Australian families and small businesses are able to get a fair share and a fair go. On top of three rounds of tax cuts that we have delivered since 2008 we have tripled the tax-free threshold, we have introduced the instant asset write-off for small businesses and now are interesting loss carry-back, and we have also cut taxes on superannuation for the lowest paid of our workers.

Every single one of these measures has been opposed by those opposite, and I am not surprised because, when it comes to tax reform, those opposite think that tax reform is a three-letter word. It is 'GST'. GST is what is in their DNA. They were the ones who introduced it. We know they always wanted to put it on everything and, if they get half a chance, they will come back and try to do the same again. We are against that because we know any plan to increase the GST will smash families, smash pensioners and tie businesses—in particular small businesses—up with even more red tape.

But don't take my word for it; listen to what their Liberal state premier family out there calling for an increase in the GST are saying. Look at what Premier O'Farrell has had to say. He says:

All options should be on the table, broadening the base, looking at the rate and also the rebates back to the states.

And it is not just the Liberal state premiers. Go have a look at the mentors of the Leader of the Opposition—John Howard and Nick Minchin—who are all out there saying: 'Come on, Tony! Come back! Finish the job! We wanted to put it on in the first place; now you finish the job.'

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