Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

I welcome the question because it enables me to go back over the coalition's record when it comes to changing the tax system. When we change the tax system, as I have said on a number of occasions today, we cut taxes—we do not just change taxes, we cut taxes. As a result, what that does is to lift the performance of the economy over time. It grows the economy. As a result, receipts will grow with the growth in the economy.

Those opposite believe that the way to deal with the budget challenges that the country faces is to just increase taxes. There is not a tax that they do not want to increase, and they are out there with the high tax cheer squad saying, 'Australia has a revenue problem. Australia has a revenue problem.' Every time those outside this place hear the opposition say that Australia has a revenue problem, this is what the opposition means: they do not think the government is taxing people enough, and if they had the opportunity, the opposition would increase taxes on the Australian people for no other purpose than to chase the higher and higher levels of expenditure that they have not been able to break their habit of pursuing. Their aspiration and ambition for spending is unmatched, and that is why they always want to go for higher, higher and higher taxes.

Ms O'Neil interjecting—

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