Albanese: take a stand on tax

They also want to legislate ahead for the next term of government which is totally unreasonable.

The Conservatives claim a mandate. Yet they won through a fear campaign based on lies ; lies of a 'death tax' ; and of 'great big new taxes' on retirees. Also there was Clive Palmer's Money (into the tens of millions); and preferences from Palmer and One Nation.

And in Opposition under Abbott the Conservatives never respected Labor's mandate.

Labor needs to restructure income tax for fairness ; and index the rates for the lower brackets to avoid a vicious cycle of bracket creep and regressive tax cuts which flatten the scales. This must be a priority for Labor upon re-election.

We don't need to capitulate on progressive policy. Labor needs a strategy to nullify the fear and disinformation campaigns. Capitulation is not a strategy.

Raise progressive taxes by somewhere in the vicinity of 1% to 1.5% of GDP upon retaking government. Exclude lower and middle income earners from higher taxes. Be thorough in this. Point out the moderate scale of the reform ; and explain where the money is going. (eg: Aged Care Social Insurance, Medicare Dental) If Labor must tax a broader base then consider the Medicare Levy. It's the closest thing in this country to "a popular tax" because of the clear connection with medical services, and the universal coverage most Australians value. One option is to enhance the progressivity of the Medicare Levy by adding a new scale for higher income earners.

As noted; the Coalition is fond of arguing about "great big new taxes". Labor HAS to fight them on this. Again: Insist on a figure in the vicinity of 1% to 1.5% of GDP in the first term of a new Labor Government. Point to our tax rates in Australia compared with the OECD. (approx. 27% of GDP compared with approx. 34% of GDP) Australian tax overall is approximately seven percentage points lower in Australia compared with the OECD average. That's a difference of approximately $119 billion Australian dollars a year.

If we give in we get an Americanisation of the discourse which gradually flattens tax scales, and makes meaningful social democratic reform on social wage, social insurance, public infrastructure and welfare impossible.

Around April next year the Aged Care Royal Commission is also expected to come down with its findings. And to correct the flaws in the system – which are causing untold suffering to our vulnerable elderly (friends, family, mothers, fathers, grandparents) – this will require new investments into many billions annually.

If the Coalition argue Labor is denying average workers a tax cut Labor must insist again and again it is willing to pass the first round if only the Government split the bills. The public must be left in no doubt.

Take a stand, Albo. That's what ordinary Labor members and voters want and expect from you.