Alex Hawke (Mitchell, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister to the Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

We won't be distracted by the shadow Treasurer, that's for sure! We won't be distracted by the member for Watson and their 'vuvuzela of negativity', to quote the member for Grayndler. That vuvuzela has been barking very loudly in this chamber in recent weeks.

Every single question about the GST, of course, has missed the mark. Why has it missed the mark? It is because there is no Australian government that would propose changes to the tax system that would not provide for greater fairness for those on low incomes, that would not provide for greater fairness for those who could not afford it. But what about the fairness for the middle class? What about for those on average incomes? What about fairness for small business? These are the things the Labor Party never considers.

I think the Labor Party and all Australians know that, to meet the challenges and to capitalise on the opportunities, we have to develop a more agile economy. We have to incentivise innovation. We have to renew business processes, improve quality and value for customers and reform the way that government operates. That means dealing with our tax system. It means reforming it in a way that Australians accept.

We are here having a debate about the tax system, but the shadow Treasurer will not outline one single measure that he thinks should be reformed in the Australian tax system. This is a party that has never lowered tax rates in Australian history. You have never brought tax down. You have never returned bracket creep to Australians. You have never said to Australians, 'You are working hard enough.' You have never said, 'You are working and delivering tax for the government; we will lower your tax.' You have never said thank you to Australian businesses—those two million small businesses out there who work, save and invest every day to create the prosperity that you take. You only have one message for the Australian people and the business community: 'We want to increase tax. We want to take more out of your pocket and we're going to continue to do nothing about government expenditure.'

In contrast, the Turnbull government is capping government expenditure. We are restraining it and reducing it. Unlike some people in the opposition, we understand the difference between net debt and gross debt. We are not confused about net debt and gross debt. We know what it is. We know how it operates. We know what the tax brackets are. We know what the income tax-free threshold is. We know it is $18,200—

Mr Bowen interjecting—

Do you want me to tell you? I will school you again! I am happy to be the Prime Minister for a second and school you. If I had glasses, I would take them off at this point and I would offer you a lecture. The income-free tax threshold is $18,200. That is where it sits. Surely you know that by now, shadow Treasurer.

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