Labor shadow treasurer, Chris Bowen, appeared on ABC’s Lateline last night where he discussed a range of issues relating to the Budget.
Of particular note, Bowen roasted the Coalition’s 10-year plan to cut company taxes from 30% to 25%, noting that it would cost the Budget billions and add only a $2 a day increase in 20 years to worker’s incomes, according to the Government’s own modelling. Like MB, he also lambasted the Business Council of Australia for hypocritical urging Budget repair whilst demanding a company tax cut.
Bowen also reiterated Labor’s policy of reforming negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount, and ridiculed the Coalition for refusing to undertake reform.
Finally, Bowen pledged that Labor supports low-paid workers, unlike the Coalition, as evidenced by its opposition to cutting penalty rates and its submission to Fair Work Australia to have the minimum wage lifted.
Overall, not a bad effort – and certainly paints a more coherent message than provided by his counterpart, Scott Morrison.
