Opposition leader Peter Dutton faced scrutiny regarding the Coalition’s tax policy following Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ recent federal budget announcement. Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor has already dismissed a newly proposed tax cut, labelling it an election “bribe” that the Coalition would not support.
During an interview on the Today program, Dutton described the budget’s tax cut as a “cruel hoax.” When questioned by Nine’s Political Editor Charles Croucher about the Coalition’s longstanding claim of being the party of “lower, simpler, fairer taxes,” Dutton remained evasive, stating, “We’ll have the budget in reply response on Thursday, as you point out, and we’ll save our detail for then.”
Additionally, when asked if the Coalition, regarded as “the party of Robert Menzies,” would be campaigning with a higher income tax ratio than the Labor government, Dutton again refrained from providing a definitive answer. He emphasised the Coalition’s commitment to managing the economy and ensuring national security, stating, “Our party is always about making sure that we manage the economy and that we manage national security, that we keep Australians safe.”
Dutton acknowledged the challenges posed by a “very uncertain world,” reiterating that priorities for the Coalition include relief from the rising cost of living, promoting home ownership, and maintaining national security.