Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Treasurer. What is the impact of the rate of GST on economic growth? What would be the impact on economic growth of increasing the GST?

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

I thank the member for the question. He should actually know the answer, given he modelled an increase in the GST and a broadening of its base. On numerous occasions, I have said in this place that I would be very happy to see the results of the member's modelling that he did when he was Treasurer for a brief period—because he will not release that information. He actually will not release the assumptions or give the government permission to look at the modelling the Labor Party did, when they were in government, on increasing the GST and broadening its base.

Ms Plibersek interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Member for Sydney!

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

Now, what this government is focused on is policies that support jobs and growth, and this government has not considered any measures seriously that have not involved an improvement and certainly not any that go back in terms of growth. This government is focused on measures that support growth. This government has been focusing on seeking to find ways where we can relieve the growing income tax burden on income earners, on wage earners, on small businesses—

Mr Champion interjecting—

Ms O'Neil interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Wakefield is now warned! The member for Hotham is also warned!

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

We have deep empathy for people in this country who are working every day to pay for our expanding welfare system, and we think we need to be thinking about their interests and trying to relieve their burden—and we will leave no stone unturned to try and relieve that burden for them. Those opposite have no empathy for those who are working every day to pay for our burgeoning welfare system which they ramped up.

Opposition members interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for McMahon will cease interjecting! Again, I warn the member for Sydney: I will not allow members to continually interject. The member for Griffith has been warned. I warned the member for Moreton in very clear terms; he has continued to interject beyond that on at least four occasions. He will leave under standing order 94(a).

The member for Moreton then left the chamber .