Graham Perrett (Moreton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Why is the Prime Minister standing in the way of Labor's plan to give a labourer in Longman earning $50,000 a tax cut of $928 a year—almost double the tax cut they'll get from the government? Why does this arrogant and out-of-touch Prime Minister want 10 million Australians, including labourers, teachers, nurses, electricians and mechanics, to pay more tax and big business to pay less tax?

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for his question, and the honourable member no doubt has paid careful attention to the reports that demonstrate that under Labor's tax proposals that he was referring to a public school teacher, for example, would pay between $800 and $1,200 more tax every year. A crane operator would pay between $900 and $1,600 more tax every year. A primary school principal would pay between $5,000 and $7,000 more tax every year. The difference between the government's personal income tax reform and what Labor has proposed is that we have a comprehensive plan for reform. There is a $530 tax refund next year, but then the plan goes on to reach the point where 94 per cent of all Australian taxpayers will not face a marginal rate of more than 32½c in the dollar. Labor is saying that they oppose that plan. They say it's unfair. And yet one example after another can be shown—I've read out a couple—of hardworking Australians on middle incomes, in jobs—

Pat Conroy (Shortland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Infrastructure) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Not middle—

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

'Not middle'—well, one of the honourable members opposite believes that crane operators, forklift drivers and primary school principals are members of the undeserving rich that need to be soaked! Is that right? Really! The Labor Party talks about being out of touch! The Labor Party fails to recognise that those dollars are hard earned, and Australians are entitled to keep more of them. We are delivering personal income tax reform that respects them, respects their hard work and will ensure they can keep more of the money they've earned. It's their money, not the government's. They've earned it. They can keep more of it to advance their dreams and their aspirations and those of their families.

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

The member for McMahon?

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

The Prime Minister was comprehensively reading from a document. I ask him to table it.

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

Was the Prime Minister quoting from a confidential document? The member for Brisbane has the call.