The Australian Greens have called today’s mid-year budget update a wasted opportunity to tackle the skyrocketing cost of living at a time when many are at breaking point.
The Greens say Labor could have used the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) handed down today to add dental and mental health into Medicare, and stop the $176 billion in tax breaks that make it impossible for renters to buy their first home.
Labor could have used it to get rid of subsidies for polluting fossil fuel giants.
Any of these would have given people across the country good news before Christmas and the new year.
Instead, Labor has refused to take the bold action needed to improve people’s lives for the better.
As stated by Australian Greens Treasury spokesperson, Senator Nick McKim:
“Labor has predictably missed the chance to make big corporations pay their fair share of tax so more can be done to help people who are really struggling to pay the bills.
“In a wealthy country like ours, no one should be going without or struggling to afford the basics. After decades of Labor and Liberal governments, people are paying too much while one in three big corporations pay no tax. This Budget update is more of the same.
“This Budget update was an opportunity to do something meaningful to help with cost-of-living. We could have had dental into Medicare, but instead we’ve got massive hand outs to fossil fuel corporations that are driving the climate crisis.”
As stated by Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:
“Labor and Liberal spend more on tax handouts to wealthy property investors than people struggling to buy their first home.
“It’s clear Labor won’t act on the housing and rental crisis unless pushed.
“With a minority government likely, the Greens will keep Peter Dutton out and get Labor to wind back handouts for wealthy property investors, make big corporations pay tax and use that money to build homes people can afford.”
