INDEPENDENT Lyne MP Rob Oakeshott says Opposition leader Tony Abbott and Nationals candidate for Lyne David Gillespie are wrong to dismiss the lift in the tax-free threshold as mere “carbon compensation” and has urged them both to reflect on its importance to Mid-North Coast households.
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“From June this year, anyone earning $75,000 or less a year will receive a tax benefit from
changes made in line with the Ken Henry Tax Review,” Mr Oakeshott said.
“The lifting of the tax-free threshold from $6000 to $18,200 is something I have argued very
strongly for, as I am acutely aware of the traditionally low income levels in our electorate,”
Mr Oakeshott said.
“Census data tells us we are one of the lowest household income areas in Australia, a figure
that reflects the high number of fixed incomes in our community, as well as very real issue
of poverty in regional communities.
“I also argued for the threshold increase as an outspoken advocate for comprehensive tax
reform.
“As a result, about 4000 people in our community will no longer have to pay any tax at all
and another 31,000 people will receive a tax cut of up to $600-plus a year.
“This is a welcome relief for Mid-North Coast householders who are now free of the burden
of dealing with the tax office every year, or who are set to receive income tax cuts.
“It is a good, sensible reform, and our region is one of the biggest winners from this
change.
“It’s therefore surprising that the National Party and David Gillespie would want to deny low income earners, part-time workers, students and self-funded retirees in our community a tax
break.
“David Gillespie and Tony Abbott are now arguing against a core element of the Henry Tax
Review, an independent reform document for a better tax system in Australia.
“It’s a position I cannot support,” Mr Oakeshott said