Politics with Michelle Grattan
News:Politics
Labor has come under fire for some of its budget responses, including its opposition to the schools package, and only partial support for the Medicare levy increase.
Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen rejects the government’s argument about the schools plan being more “needs based” than present arrangements, telling The Conversation its “one-size fits all” approach will put pressure on families and the public system. “Being needs-based is a bit like being pregnant, isn’t it? You either are or you aren’t.”
Bowen defends targeting the Medicare levy rise only at higher income earners by saying Australia’s low wage growth and other factors mean the circumstances are different from when Julia Gillard raised the levy across the board.
Small and medium-sized businesses – with a turnover up to $50 million - are waiting to find out whether a Labor government would cancel their legislated tax cut. Labor is “taking a bit of time” before announcing its position, Bowen says, to look at “all the implications.” He’s commissioned work from the Parliamentary Budget Office. “There’s all sorts of stuff on the public record that I carefully sift through so that when I make a recommendation to shadow cabinet it’ll be a good one and a firm one and enable a good discussion.”
On the controversial Adani Carmichael coal mine, which is dividing Queensland Labor and is publicly opposed by several federal ALP MPs, Bowen stresses the project’s future must rest squarely on its own merits, without government subsidy. “If it stacks up, it stacks up.”
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Andrew Norton on the Albanese government's interventionist policy to cut foreign student numbers
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Andrew Bragg flags a coalition would use 'coercion' of the states to get more new houses built
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Madeleine King on investment incentives and the pivotal role of gas
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Budget fight looms on Future Made in Australia tax breaks
Politics with Michelle Grattan: James Paterson on prospects for passage of the government's deportation bill
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Anne Summers says we need much more information on male perpetrators of violence against women
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Economist Chris Richardson on recent economic data and whats in store for the upcoming budget
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Independent MP Dai Le on the church attack in her electorate
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Josh Burns on being a Jewish MP during a terrible conflict
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Andrew Leigh on competition - economic and political
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Kim Beazley on Kevin Rudd, being an ambassador, and a possible second Trump presidency
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Cyber expert Lesley Seebeck on TikTok’s future in Australia
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Masculinity expert Michael Flood on boys and men behaving badly
Politics with Michelle Grattan: John Blaxland on spies, AUKUS, and an unsettled Washington
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Jason Clare on the future of education in Australia
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Antony Green, Kos Samaras and Tim Costello on Dunkley contest
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Assistant minister Malarndirri McCarthy says there's 'no rush' on treaty and truth-telling
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Chris Bowen on fuel efficiency standards and the energy transition
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Angus Taylor on tax and the economy
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Jim Chalmers says Australians will be better off next year
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free