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Labor’s surprise budget tax cuts for every Australian have been rushed into law, delivering the average worker roughly the equivalent of a cup of coffee a week starting next year.
The move will force the Coalition to either drop its opposition to the $17 billion cuts it termed an “election bribe” or head out on the federal election campaign trail with a pledge to repeal them.
In the meantime, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is reportedly seeking to go head-to-head with Labor on cost of living with a $6 billion cut to fuel excise to be announced in his budget reply speech tonight.
Before adjourning the Senate until May, a time by which the election will obviously be announced, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher seized a final opportunity to critique the opposition.
“We’ve seen tonight what we’ve seen this entire term, those opposite, opposing everything we’re trying to do to help households,” she said.
“This evening, they have resisted measures aimed at promoting gender equality in the workplace. They have rejected the proposal to retain public ownership of the NBN. They have said no to providing fee-free TAFE … and they have opposed tax reductions for every taxpayer.”
Dutton delivers his budget reply speech tonight.