Swan not serious about tax reform

28/07/11

Joint MEDIA RELEASE

Hon Joe Hockey MP, Shadow Treasurer

Senator Mathias Corman, Shadow Assistant treasurer,

The Hon Tony Smith MP, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Tax Reform

Wayne Swan’s belated tax summit – now downgraded to a forum - falls short of addressing the critical taxation issues facing Australia and our future international competitiveness.

Mr Swan has been dragged kicking and screaming to establish the long-awaited tax summit, that he had earlier promised the independents would be held by the middle of this year.

The Labor government can’t be taken seriously about tax reform. 

Since 2007, Labor has introduced 19 new or increased taxes.

When it comes to tax reform, Labor is all talk and no action.

The government has shown time and time again that it is incapable of doing the heavy lifting and has again chosen to outsource the tough decisions.

Australia has already had a comprehensive review of the tax system in the form of the Henry Tax Review, which:

·         reviewed 1500 submissions;

·         took two years to complete;

·         made 138 recommendations, and

·         cost $10 million. 

The Coalition stands for lower, simpler, fairer taxes.

Labor is addicted to higher taxes and has shown it is not serious about tax reform.