Greens Treasury spokesperson Adam Bandt MP has released new research showing that Treasurer Joe Hockey, who has floated the idea of an expanded GST, would have to extend the GST to health, education and fresh food to fill the Budget hole created by his proposed income tax cuts.
“The Treasurer is planning a tax shift, not a tax cut," Mr Bandt said.
"He’s ruled out balancing the books by reforming unfair tax breaks for the wealthy, but he remains happy to talk about making everyone else pay through a broader GST.”
"To cover the cost of his income tax cuts in the way he clearly has in mind, the Treasurer would have to extend the GST not just to health but to education and food as well.”
"If he doesn't have the courage to axe unfair tax breaks to the wealthy, the only way Joe Hockey can make his surplus goal is through savage cuts to services or by raising other taxes."
Media contact: Adam Pulford, 0429 109 054
Full data and release available at www.adambandt.com/150826.