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Critics of the Morrison government’s proposed sped-up tax cuts are demanding that Treasurer Josh Frydenberg move away from high-income tax breaks and instead look towards social spending, a new national advertising campaign explains.
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Proposed sped-up tax cuts blasted in new ad campaign
22 September 2020
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9 minute read
Endorsed by former Reserve Bank officials and senior bureaucrats, a new national campaign now opposed the government’s plan to bring forward income tax cuts as it finalises its 6 October budget.
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Mr Frydenberg has hinted at speeding up already legislated tax cuts to put “more money into people’s pockets” as a way of increasing consumer spending to restart the economy.
The legislated tax cuts, scheduled to be introduced from 1 July 2022, will see the top threshold of the 19 per cent income tax bracket increased from $41,000 to $45,000, and the top threshold for the 32.5 per cent tax bracket raised from $90,000 to $120,000.
From 1 July 2024, the 32.5 per cent and 37 per cent tax brackets will be abolished, with a 19 per cent tax rate for those earning between $18,201 and $45,000, 30 per cent for incomes between $45,000 and $200,000, and 45 per cent as the highest rate for incomes above $200,000.
However, 40 luminaries, including former Reserve Bank governor Bernie Fraser, said tax cuts would not benefit the national economy as wealthier Australians will bank the additional cash.
“The unfolding COVID pandemic is a stark reminder to all policymakers of two fundamental truths: that while many of us work and spend in economies, we all live and die in communities, and, secondly, the most vulnerable groups in those communities are always hit the hardest in major crises like this pandemic,” Mr Fraser said.
Former Liberal opposition leader John Hewson was also critical of Mr Morrison’s tax proposal.
“The LNP naively hopes tax cuts are good politics, but they won’t be as they increase inequality and fail to ensure job security and increasing wages with our economy still struggling to exit recession,” Mr Hewson said.
The advertising campaign points out that lower-income earners are more likely to spend additional benefits, which will help get the economy out of its first recession in nearly three decades.
“More tax cuts today mean service cuts tomorrow,” said Cassandra Goldie, CEO of ACOSS.
“The next stage of legislated tax cuts costs $12 billion a year and reduces tax for people on $130,000 or more by $47 per week. Most low and middle-income earners get nothing. Yet it’s only low-income earners that will spend most of any government stimulus. Instead, it’s time to #RaisetheRateforGood by permanently increasing JobSeeker payment,” she said.
The advertisement builds on The Australia Institute’s research, which shows the tax cuts will not boost the economy and will instead widen inequality in Australia.
“Cutting taxes for already wealthy Australians will undermine the long-term strength of our public services, like healthcare and education, while doing very little to stimulate economic growth,” said Ben Oquist, executive director of The Australia Institute.
“Tax is an investment in our society. Those calling for tax cuts today will be calling for service cuts in the future.”
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