“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