Labor leader Bill Shorten rebukes NSW opposition leader Luke Foley over GST comments

Date
    January 10, 2016
    Canberra Times

Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten has issued a rebuke to his NSW counterpart Luke Foley, saying it would be "wrong" to hike the GST and slug every family in Australia to raise money for education and health.   

Mr Foley, the NSW Labor opposition leader, said he would consider supporting an increase in the GST from 10 to 15 per cent as long as the funds were used solely for health and education and to compensate low-income earners.

The position is at direct odds with that of federal Labor, which vehemently opposes a GST increase.

In a statement to Fairfax Media, Mr Shorten said a GST increase was "wrong" and he was "worried about ... the millions [of] families who are already struggling to keep their heads above water who will have to pay for an increased GST on every single thing they buy".   

"​Of course, state leaders are under pressure to find more money - that's because the Turnbull Liberals in Canberra have cut $80 billion from schools and hospitals," Mr Shorten said, referring to cuts in the 2014 federal budget.

"But increasing the price of everything by jacking up the GST and the cost of living is not the answer.   

"These families deserve a decent standard of living and that's why I am absolutely opposed to the Liberals increasing the GST."

Mr Shorten questioned why the government was "soft" on multinational tax avoidance but was considering going "hard on families by increasing the GST".   

Federal Labor's position is informed by its own research and anecdotal evidence, and was reinforced by a poll which showed a higher GST was backed by just 28 per cent of voters.

The figure rose to more than half of voters when sweeteners were added, such as lower income tax and changes to stop the wealthy from exploiting superannuation tax breaks.

NSW Premier Mike Baird has proposed lifting the GST to 15 per cent to cover the estimated $80 billion health and education shortfall, plus compensation for low income earners.

Mr Foley said he would consider offering Mr Baird bipartisan support for his model if strict funding guarantees were in place.

He rejected suggestions by federal Treasurer Scott Morrison that any potential GST increase must also fund income and company tax cuts.

Mr Foley has previously criticised an increase in the GST to 15 per cent as "lazy" and said state governments should raise extra money by agreeing to set taxes at the same

The other option is NEVER having another incompetent Labor government with an incompetent Labor treasurer in government EVER again.

Kat wrote on Jan 11^th, 2016 at 7:21am:


I am glad you finally agree.

Mr Shorten questioned why the government was "soft" on multinational tax avoidance but was considering going "hard on families by increasing the GST".   

Quote:


Where's Mr Shorten's policy on "multinational tax avoidance" Crook and why shouldn't the Govt look at both?

Armchair_Politician wrote on Jan 11^th, 2016 at 8:21am:



really? 

aquascoot wrote on Jan 11^th, 2016 at 8:25am:


... and all the extra money Labor would have to waste!

Swagman wrote on Jan 11^th, 2016 at 7:44am:


No it should look at the higher level tax avoidance first. Increasing the GST should be the last resort not the first option.