Treasurer
Hockey confirmed that 16,000 high income earners will get tax breaks, while 2.7
million small businesses and 3.6 million low income earners will lose tax
breaks and be hit with higher taxes.
Small businesses are missing out on the Labor intiative of an
instant asset write-off, while 110,000 small businesses will miss out on a
lower threshold for the loss carry back provisions.
The
Liberal Government has scrapped Labor’s 15 per cent concessional tax rate on
earnings above $100,000 in superannuation income streams, that is, super balances over $2 million. This comes on the back of their decision to scrap the Low Income
Super Contribution and reimpose a 15% superannuation tax on low income
and part-time workers, with shop assistants, waiters, bartenders and cleaners
being hardest hit – 60 per cent of these are women. Women
are already retiring with less in their super accounts because of the disparity
in their pay compared to men.
The
Liberal Government has also watered down Labor’s
efforts to get multinationals to pay their fair share of tax. For example,
Google paid only $74,176 in tax in Australia 2011, despite estimated revenues
of $1 billion. Labor’s rules were designed to stop profits being shipped
overseas. The Treasurer’s amendments help multinationals and will mean $700
million less in tax revenue.
These changes unambiguously demonstrate the priorities of this
Government. Multinational companies and high income earners get tax breaks,
while small businesses and low and middle income earners miss out.
So much too for the much touted ‘budget emergency’ the Liberal
Party spoke about prior to the election! The changes announced have given up $3
billion over the forward estimates. When it comes to tax breaks for big
business, it seems there is plenty of money to splash around.
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