http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-12/bill-shorten-challenges-turnbull-to-debate...Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has challenged Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to a public debate on the GST, following indications from New South Wales Labor leader Luke Foley that he may support an increase.
Mr Shorten returned to work today, launching a three-week tour to spruik Federal Labor's opposition to any increases to the GST.
Addressing media in Queanbeyan, NSW, he sidestepped a question as to whether the tour was a scare campaign, instead asking Mr Turnbull to participate in a public debate.
"On the day before Parliament starts this year, at the National Press Club, I'm prepared to debate Malcolm Turnbull about why increasing the GST to 15 per cent in any set of circumstances is a bad idea," he said.
"Now if Malcolm Turnbull is fair dinkum, he'll front up."
The invitation comes just days after Mr Foley said he would consider supporting an increase in the tax, from 10 to 15 per cent, on the condition the funds were used for health and education.
He told Fairfax Media any increase should also include compensation for low-income earners.
Mr Shorten dismissed the comments, saying the states had been "taken hostage" by cuts in the federal budget.
But Mr Shorten's campaign has been labelled as irresponsible by Liberal Cabinet minister Simon Birmingham.
Senator Birmingham said tax reform needed a "sensible and mature" debate.
"Mr Shorten is being grossly irresponsible by ruling out matters in relation to tax reform without giving that comprehensive and sensible look which we are undertaking through the tax reform white paper process," he said.
Mr Turnbull is yet to indicate his position on potential changes to the GST, but Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison has confirmed he will consider giving a share of income tax to the states and territories in return for an increased tax rate.
Forum
Pages: 1 
Shorten attempts to revive polls with a challenge (Read 4094 times)
