Politics with Michelle Grattan
News:Politics
The tax offset for low and middle income earners (LMITO) will not be extended beyond this financial year, so does this amount to a tax increase for these people?
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg tells the podcast the offset was a “temporary measure” that was extended as fiscal stimulus, due to the pressures on the budget from COVID. It’s being removed “now that the economy is normalising”.
With unemployment set to fall below 4%, Frydenberg also says “what we think is going to happen is upward pressure on wages”.
Annual wage growth is at 2.3% but Frydenberg says there’s a “broader indicator of earnings across the economy [Average Earnings in the National Accounts (AENA)] which has been higher than where the wage price index is. It’s expected to get to 5% this year, which is above where inflation is at. That’s a broader earnings indicator, which takes into account bonuses, promotions, people moving jobs and the like.”
The treasurer, who holds the Victorian seat of Kooyong, is one of the Liberal members being targeted by “teal” independent candidates running on issues such as climate and the need for a federal integrity commission.
Frydenberg – who is more popular than Scott Morrison in the “leafy” seats – will be used to campaign where these candidates are strong. “I will give as much support as I can to my colleagues who face those opponents.”
Government’s ‘shock and awe’ assault on Anthony Albanese
Trent Zimmerman has no regrets on Religious Discrimination rebellion
On Scott Morrison’s battle for Religious Discrimination Bill
Anthony Albanese on his ‘legacy’ - so far
Peter Dutton on US combat assets in Australia, China, and Vladimir Putin
Tanya Plibersek on parents’ role in reducing violence against women
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Josh Frydenberg ‘thinking about the budget’ over Christmas
Sean Kelly and Anne Tiernan on election year
Michelle Grattan on Labor’s climate policy and Liberal’s fight for Warringah
Politicians condemn bad behaviour, and then behave badly
Jenny McAllister on domestic violence
Christmas can’t come too soon for Morrison
Liberal Dave Sharma on 2030 target
On Morrison’s character ratings
Chris Bowen says Labor’s climate policy will be ‘realistic and ambitious’
Scott Morrison has decided electric cars won’t threaten Aussie weekends
Keith Pitt on the climate plan and coal’s future
Scott Morrison’s (thin) climate plan for Glasgow
Phil Honeywood on the challenges of getting international students back
Mustering the government’s rural rump into the 2050 tent
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free