Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

We will just have to agree to disagree on the desirability of this measure. This is a measure that does not discriminate between men and women. It does not discriminate at all. It seeks to provide the same incentive to both men and women when it comes to working harder and earning more and not being penalised by a higher tax rate. This measure, which was announced in the 2016-17 budget, is specifically targeted, because without action the average full-time wage earner in Australia would face the 37 per cent marginal tax rate this year. As the government works to improve Australia's fiscal settings it will look for further opportunities to extend further tax relief to working Australians. The government, of course, has maintained the carbon tax compensation after the removal of the carbon tax, which means that the tax-free threshold increase from $6,000 to $18,200 has been maintained, providing a reduction in the average tax rate for taxpayers, but, most notably, for low-income earners. You have got look at all of this in context.